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This was more like the English midfield we wanted to see. They showed their ability, their composure and, ultimately, they delivered when needed.
They needed to be braver and more positive and with that they looked like the team we have been waiting for for the last four weeks.
The interchange between Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Kobbie Mainoo was excellent in the first half and opened the floodgates for the Dutch.
Foden looked like the player we know and was running the show, brimming with confidence and finding space with ease.
What I liked was the sharpness of the stuntmen and the skilful simulated runs, taking turns to run into the space they had left behind. This made the Dutch move and you could see that they were uncomfortable.
The interchange between Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Kobbie Mainoo was excellent in the first half and paved the way for the Dutch.
Foden looked like the player we know and was running the show, brimming with confidence and finding space with ease.
It’s hard to believe that Kobbie only made his first-team debut in November, but he has a very astute footballing brain. His clever movement belies his age, but the best thing was his intelligence in neutralising Holland’s counter-attacks.
The Dutch certainly had plenty of chances early on, so they opened up and that allowed us to exploit those gaps and force the pressure on for Harry Kane to score the penalty. I don’t care what you say, that’s a foul anywhere else on the pitch, so soft or not, it was a penalty.
It was no surprise that Ronald Koeman looked to smother us in the second half. He grouped Tijjani Reinders, Jerry Schouten and Joey Veerman together in midfield and formed a tighter triangle that caused England problems.
As a midfielder, in situations like that, it’s important to use the wide players to get to the defence and, in the same way, the centre-forward needs to stay close to the box to maintain that focal point. We struggled to get Foden on the ball and Gareth Southgate’s change was inevitable. We’ve criticised him, but he saw what change was needed.
When Ollie Watkins came on to the pitch, you could see that his movement and positioning gave Holland something different to think about. When Cole Palmer moved into Bukayo Saka’s side, he created an overload that forced Holland’s midfield to stretch, they sent five players into the box and that opened up the gap for Watkins.
Spain will be difficult. They may not give us a chance, but we have seen before that no one can win a game in one game.
