England manager Gareth Southgate goes 'gung-ho' with usual line-up and Bukayo Saka

Surprised by Gareth Southgate choosing a back four and Bukayo Saka? You really shouldn't be because this is England…

Gung-ho ho hoOur first thought upon seeing this gigantic headline on MailOnline…

"Bukayo Saka is set to start England's World Cup opener against Iran against Phil Foden with Gareth Southgate ready to start in Qatar...with Harry Maguire and Jude Bellingham also online to make the starting XI"

…it was that Sami Mokbel had been taken in by a sub-editor. Surely he didn't use the term "gung-ho" about a formation that is essentially a fairly standard 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 if you prefer.

After all, gung-ho ("recklessly enthusiastic and eager, especially to participate in fighting or war") is really ridiculous hyperbole about a formation England have used in three of the eight games in 2022. And they were undefeated in those three games, by the way. So, is that "gung-ho" or just really sensible?

But no, it turns out that Mokbel himself decided that a very similar line-up (nine of the same starters) to the England team that beat Denmark in the semi-finals of the Euro 2020 as 'gung-ho'…

"Bukayo Saka is set to hand Phil Foden a starting role in England's World Cup opener against Iran on Monday as Gareth Southgate prepares to get fiery here at Doha."

"Get ready to fuel up"! With a back four, a holding midfielder, a box-to-box midfielder, a forward midfielder with a reputation for effort off the ball, two wingers who absolutely follow and an industrious striker.

‘The news will come as a surprise given Foden’s form for Manchester City this season. But Saka is set to be rewarded for his brilliant form at the Emirates Stadium with a statement start. '

It would only be surprising if you didn't pay the slightest attention; Saka has started three of England's Nations League games this year and has played almost twice as many minutes as Foden (who has started twice). Saka also came off the bench to replace Foden in England's last game - a 3-3 draw with Germany - and was a game-changer.

It's neither a surprise nor love at first sight. Why do we feel Southgate is set for a fall?

‘Southgate are set to use a back four against Iran in what should be an attacking line-up. As well as Saka's planned inclusion, the England boss is also set to release boy wonder Jude Bellingham on the World Cup stage. '

Yes, 'release' the player who has started England's last three games.

The ten outfield players who have played the most minutes for England in the Nations League in 2022 are: Harry Kane, Harry Maguire, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Reece James, Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker , Bukayo Saka, Mason Mont and John Stones.

Having been left without the two players who make a comeback three/five more viable, no one should be surprised that the other eight are likely to start against Iran with a comeback four.

And absolutely no one should call this setup "gung-ho".

To boldly go where Gareth Southgate has often gone before But the narrative has been set. Here is The Sun in this English formation:

‘GARETH SOUTHGATE is set to drop five at the back for England’s World Cup opener.

"The Three Lions boss will return to a back four against Iran for his curtain raiser in Qatar on Monday."

Yes, he is about to give up a formation he has used in the last three England games that have not been won by England. It looks "fat".

"SunSport understands Southgate will stay with NINE of the eleven who started against Italy in last year's Euro final opting for a 4-3-3 formation."

And if you still think training is the real shock…

"Southgate have deployed England with four defenders instead of their usual confident five in all but TWO of their seven Euro appearances."

So in five out of seven matches at Euro 2020 Southgate used a back four and yet the exception in two games is when he used his "usual trusted back five"? What the fuck?

Fixed: Gareth Southgate is definitely set up for a fall.

Crossword And from John Cross (who really should know better) in the Daily Mirror…

‘Gareth Southgate is ready to let go of the shackles and go all out in England’s World Cup opener.

‘England boss Southgate is considering a move to a four-man defender against Iran which would be a major change from his...