England v Belgium: Analysing the debate behind Group G World Cup dilemma

The Three Lions’ 2014 campaign was arguably their most embarrassing World Cup performance of any England side in history.

Roy Hodgson’s team stumbled over the line with a weak 0-0 draw that exemplified their lack of quality, heart and lustre. Expectedly, the inquests began.

An even more embarrassing round of 16 exit at the hands of Iceland in Euro 2016 left English football on the brink.

Fast forwards four years, and in what seems like a parallel universe, Gareth Southgate is at the helm, and after steadying the ship, his men are safely through to the last 16 having won both group games, as well as setting records along the way. A last-gasp Harry Kane winner against Tunisia followed by the 6-1 obliteration of Panama has left fans everywhere dreaming of a first international triumph since 1966.

Yet, despite this positivity, one of the strangest scenarios in English footballing history has developed.

Sitting level on six points with tonight’s opponents Belgium, supporters around the nation are contemplating the notion of wanting to ‘throw’ the game and finish second. This bizarre set of events has transpired through the shaping of what has been an incredibly volatile and unpredictable World Cup.

With the knockout tree not at all going to pre-tournament plan, one side of the draw has fashioned up to be considerably tougher than the other… in theory anyway.

Top spot in Group G could see a potential route of Japan, Brazil, and France to the final, which is understandably daunting, but how much value is placed on maintaining a winning mentality?

For the first time in what seems like an eternity, the England side seem to have a bond and winning mentality. A youthful swagger and an undoubtedly more relevant squad than recent years has taken the early stages of the competition by storm. Questions of Kane’s pre-tournament form have been quashed and the new 3-5-2 system seems to suit the personnel.

For this reason, surely the argument would be that England should not go out to lose. After all, football is a game made to form winners and losers, and to approach a fixture with a losing mentality is a dangerous game that breeds negativity. The media whirlwind back home is incredibly positive, and the fans are starting to believe, and so should the players.

To plot a route through the the last 16 and beyond, considering the Three Lions have not won a World Cup knockout game since 2006, seems to be almost ludicrous, which is exactly the message echoed by the boss himself.

Southgate said: “Why we are starting to plot which would be a better venue for our semi-final is beyond me really.

“I don't know how we would go into a game not wanting to win and not wanting to play well.

"I think we just have to keep playing as well as we can, keep preparing the team the right way, keep the momentum and I have to keep the squad involved. That's the one thing I think is really important."

England are on a roll, and to purposely halt the building momentum would be questionable, and if the manager’s words are anything to go by, then we can expect the Three Lions to continue to roar tonight in Kaliningrad.

By Billy Cundall

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Posted at 1640 BST on 28/06/18

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