If you missed tonight's match in UEFA qualification group F for the 2018 World Cup and saw the scoreline Malta 0-4 England, you would think that tonight was a routine away win for Gareth Southgate's men, but the reality is the result glossed over a very drab performance.
It was 0-0 until the 53rd minute, and three goals were scored in the final five minutes once Malta were exhausted, but the game was more competitve than England fans were hoping and many took their frustrations out on manager Gareth Southgate.
It started when he named what looks like the weakest England side we've seen in years, featuring Jake Livermore and Jordan Henderson as holding midfielders.
Here's how the #ThreeLions line up in Malta! ? pic.twitter.com/9b3x17oKwH
— England (@England) September 1, 2017
After an utterly woeful first 45 where the sides headed in at the break with the score at 0-0, the fans in the stadium were audibly not impressed, and those watching on TV were questioning their decision to tune in.
Southgate was the man to blame for England's dire performance, and he took a battering on social media as it's quite clear that the majority of the nation's football fans have very little faith in the manager.
Malta fans singing "you're f***ing shit" and England fans are replying with "we're f***ing shit." Lovely to see a whole stadium in harmony.
— Natalie Pirks (@Natpirks) September 1, 2017
Gareth Southgate looks like the kinda guy who'd watch his mate get beat up and then afterwards say "I was just about to step in as well"
— Jack Dean (@Jaack) September 1, 2017
Quite rare for the England fans to turn on the team
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) September 1, 2017
If England internationals was a series it would've been cancelled years ago.
— Rhys James (@rhysjamesy) September 1, 2017
How the fuck has Gareth Southgate talked himself into being the manager of the England team running up to a world cup? ?
— Alex Glasby (@Alex_Glasby) September 1, 2017
England fans chanting: "We're f***ing s**t."
Then a chorus of Rooney....— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) September 1, 2017
Do England really need to play 4 defenders and 2 holding midfielders against a side that's playing 10 at the back?
— Coral (@Coral) September 1, 2017
I'd rather sandpaper my bollocks than listen to Gareth Southgate or watch a team managed by him.
— dave (@Davee8989) September 1, 2017
Watching England is like visiting your senile grandparents. You know you have to do it but it's a couple of hours you won't get back#MALENG
— Rob Wheatley (@RobWheatley273) September 1, 2017
Paint watches Gareth Southgate dry.
— Adam Devlin (@Adam1Dev) September 1, 2017
There's only one explanation for that England XI. Gareth Southgate is a soft Brexit remoaner who hates the country. #MALENG
— Don Vibes ? (@DelDiablo007) September 1, 2017
? This is almost making me nostalgic for Hodgson's England. Really want Southgate to succeed, but performances so far have been really lame
— Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes) September 1, 2017
Ouch.
In fairness, Southgate was an uninspiring appointment after the Big Sam farce, and thus, the fans have not been inspired.
His team selections are a bit strange, but when you look at that England squad, it's clear that they don't have the talent that other big nations do outside of their options in attack, where Marcus Rashford really should be starting alongside Harry Kane.
When all things are said and done regarding qualification, England will be there, they always are, but what may be missing is the deluded optimism that makes their tournament failures so spectacular when they happen. This time, there may be no pre-tournament hype, although we'll believe that when we see it.
