You suspect he was already aware but, just in case, Gareth Southgate was reminded that Gary Lineker had been critical of England’s performance in Munich.
“Too much talent to play overly cautious and it doesn’t play to their strengths,” was one Lineker observation during the 1-1 draw, following on from bewilderment at Trent Alexander-Arnold’s position in the England team hierarchy and an aside saying “you have to take chances to make things happen at this level.”
Lineker, amongst pundits and the public, is not alone in suggesting Southgate is too conservative. It is a familiar gripe. But it is one that, despite his protests to the contrary, is clearly getting to the England coach.
