Lee Carsley takes subtle dig at past England managers after making six changes for Finland match

Lee Carsley

Lee Carsley has selected another bold starting line-up

PA
Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 13/10/2024

- 16:48

Updated: 13/10/2024

- 17:22

Lee Carsley has once again thrown caution to the wind with some bold choices for his starting line-up against Finland.

Lee Carsley has taken a sly dig at past England managers for not trying 'something different' more regularly in a bid to end the nation's trophy drought dating back to 1966.

The England interim boss takes charge of his fourth game today in the Nations League away to Finland.


Only five players have kept their place from the disappointing 2-1 defeat to Greece on Thursday evening with Jordan Pickford dropped for Dean Henderson.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been shifted over to a makeshift left-back role while Jack Grealish has also been brought in with Phil Foden left on the bench.

Lee Carsley

Lee Carsley has selected another bold starting line-up

PA

It's another bold starting line-up from Carsley with the FA still yet to decide on a permanent successor to Gareth Southgate.

The 54-year-old came the closest of any England manager to end the nation's long wait for silverware with back-to-back European Championship finals.

But Southgate faced some criticism for not being more adventurous at times with his style of play.

And Carsley feels England need to take a few more risks to find a system that can lead them to their first piece of silverware since the 1966 World Cup.

"We are looking for a reaction, it's fair to say we fell below the levels that the players have set themselves and what's expected," he said.

"There was a case of getting a look at a few different players and it was always the case we were going to look at Dean Henderson in one of these games.

"He's [Trent Alexander-Arnold] is multi versatile and his role will be slightly different to a conventional left back but I've got a lot of confidence in Trent.

"He'll [Jack Grealish] go in between the 10 in the wides areas. We'll have a basic structure of the team that we'll start with and then they'll be able to rotate.

Gareth Southgate

Gareth Southgate often faced criticism for not being more adventurous

Getty

"A lot has been made of the system and the changes we made but if you look at the goals, they were very poor in terms of what we're used to and what we're used to seeing so hopefully we can put that right tonight.

"I fully take responsibility for trying something different. If I had a chance to do it again, I 100 per cent would.

"We've got to have that ability to try something different. We haven't won anything since 1966, we've come close so many times and if this is a period now that we have to try something different then why not?"

Lee Carsley

Lee Carsley is still in the running to take the England job

PA

Reports have suggested that Carsley will be given until after the November international break to decide on a permanent appointment.

England face Greece and Ireland next month before attention soon turns to the World Cup qualifying groups next year.

The draw for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers will take place in December.

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