What we learned on the pitch from England's international break
It was quite the week for England, whose performance against the Czech Republic was worryingly abject before their quality against Bulgaria was overshadowed by deplorable racist abuse. In both cases, the character of Gareth Southgate's young side was tested more than ever before during his reign, and ultimately shone through in a way that should bring pride to the nation and offer some hope for the future.
The coach, however, will not only have learned of his player's mental fortitude but plenty of lessons in terms of his approach to tactics and personnel. The many negatives from the display in Prague were combatted by a number of encouraging displays against an admittedly weak Bulgaria side.
If Southgate's midfield trio against the Czech Republic was an experiment, fielding both Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson in a double pivot at the base of the midfield, it's fair to say it's unlikely to be one he will test out again soon. The decision, in principle, was clearly made to try and give full debutant Mason Mount the licence to support the attack and make the runs into the box that he has for Chelsea, but it didn't account for the Czech's impressive press.
Both Rice and Henderson undoubtedly offer the squad key skills, but creativity isn't one of them, nor is it a particular strength of Mason Mount. Under pressure from their hosts' commendable work ethic off the ball, neither Henderson nor Rice could affect the game in possession with the sort of cutting passes that can bypass a press. The pass accuracy figures of the duo highlighted a lack of quality and care on the ball, with Rice completing a modest 81 per cent and Henderson a dismal 67 per cent. As such Mount didn't get on the ball often enough to make an impact.
England mustered just seven shots to their victors' 17 as a result, and it wasn't altogether a surprise. The Three Lions have lacked creativity from central areas on multiple occasions going back to the World Cup last summer. The midfield trio that started on Friday had created just nine chances from open play combined in the Premier League this season, while the likes of Jack Grealish (18) and Todd Cantwell (13) have created significantly more. Moreover, Trent Alexander-Arnold ranks second in England's top-flight in that regard, with 19, and he was overlooked in both fixtures...
Harry Winks, meanwhile, regained and retained possession to a standard that should see the Tottenham star start the next international break in favour. Against a far inferior side to the Czechs, it should be said, Winks broke up play commendably with four tackles to set England back on the front foot and completed 94 per cent of 125 passes. His ability to do both sides of the game allowed Henderson to push further forward and ensure it was England that did the pressing.
The other main takeaway Southgate will have taken from the break is that Michael Keane should be seen as a capable squad player at best gven that his partnership with Harry Maguire has been unconvincing. The Manchester United man isn't blameless in that fact, but undoubtedly offers more quality in possession and leadership to a backline that has craved the latter in particular.
Step forward Tyrone Mings, who played not only under the scrutiny that comes when making a debut but in the face of racist abuse and emerged victorious. The towering centre-back took no time whatsoever to feel comfortable barking out orders from the back, doing so more often on his first cap than Keane had in the ten he had previously earned.
His confidence to orchestrate play from the back is something that England have lacked from a position where communication is a real asset. Not all defenders are overly vocal but the best of those make up for that with their quality in possession and intelligence out of it.
Mings' development at Aston Villa has shown that he now has an improving combination of both that will ensure he remains in Southgate's plans for the long term. Throw in the fact that he's a left-footed centre-back - the first to start for England since Joleon Lescott - and the balance and greater speed that offers to the team's build up and the Maguire-Mings partnership may have legs.
The latter's passing was progressive yet measured, misplacing just four of 89 for a 96 per cent completion rate. To do all that in the toxic atmosphere from which his debut will forever be remembered was heroic. His level of performance and professionalism rose above the hate, and that's how Mings' international bow should be remembered.
