A win is a win - which at World Cups one shouldn't belittle !! But the overriding feeling is one of relief.
I note the excuses were being rolled out before England had even kicked off - Southgate commenting on the youthful nature of his team,,,,,,,,,,,,,,well you chose them Gareth !!
Nevertheless the first half was the best I have seen England play at the tournament as far as I can remember, until they got the chance to pull the trigger - Sterling proving he's what I suggested earlier in the thread.
Rashford has to start against Panama.
But in the final analysis, England struggled to beat Tunisia - the mighty Tunisia !!
Scores on the Doors
Pickford 7 Had nothing to do except pick the ball out of the net, from a penalty (he nearly saved)
Trippier 8 Easy introduction defensively - set up several chances - added a few £££'s for when Spurs sell him !!
Young 6 Not for me as a left back - takes far to long to deliver into the box - Rose much the better option.
Walker 6 He's not really a center back - is he, will be severely tested against Lukaku - but he is at least a better choice than Cahill or Jones.
Stones 7 Not my favourite player vastly over rated (plays for Moneybags City) - but looked good at set pieces.
Maguire 7 A couple of early mistakes which he did well to put behind him & overall he coped - positional play suspect at times otherwise had a good game.
Henderson 8 Superb display, though he was allowed the freedom of Volgograd - by far the best option in that position (compared to Dier).
Alli 6 Never really allowed to exert any influence on the game - not helped by a dead leg second half - he can do better.
Sterling 3 Woeful display - looked like a Sunday Park player and that's being kind - described as a headless chicken in some reports this morning - first touch non existent.
Lingard 5 Wasteful with his chances, composure in front of goal could be better - put it down to nerves (kind)
Kane 9 Thank god for King 'arry - lead by example and won it for us on his own - shame others didn't rise to the occasion in the same manner.
Subs
Rashford 7 Did more in his short time on the pitch than several others put together - he has to start from now on. Cannot understand why he was overlooked.
Loftus-Cheek 6 Looked a little overawed - unfair to judge on just 10 minutes
Dier Not sure why he bothered.
Manager
Southgate 7 Engendered the right spirit in a mismatched team against a rag bag of underdogs - who nearly caused an upset. He has to change things for the next game and score a shed load to set up the really important clash with Belgium - (I would take 0-0 right now.)
Suggested changes - Rashford for Sterling (no brainer) - Rose for Young (natural leftie) Loftus-Cheek for Lingard ( can't be any worse) Delph for Alli (Alli needs a rest)