Published: September 8, 2021 11:35 pm
Last Updated: September 8, 2021 11:39 pm
England’s supporters have taken to social media in numbers this evening, to take aim at manager Gareth Southgate.
Kane’s screamer not enough
The Three Lions were of course back in action a short time ago.
After getting the better of both Hungary and Andorra by 4-goal margins over the course of the last week, Southgate and co. headed to Poland, aiming to keep their flawless 2022 World cup qualifying campaign alive.
When all was said and done in Warsaw, however, England were forced to make do with a share of the spoils.
A hard-fought 90 minutes saw the visitors take the lead late on, when Harry Kane drove a fine effort from distance beyond the despairing dive of Wojciech Szczesny:
🚨 Stop scrolling and watch this! 🚨
A @HKane beauty gives @England the lead in Poland! 💥🤩#ITVFootball | #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/ydB9Aro74h
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 8, 2021
However, with just minutes remaining in injury time, the Poles struck back, as Robert Lewandowski’s delivery was directed home by Sebastian Szymanski, to silence the travelling crowd:
What a time to score your first international goal! 😮
Szymanski meets @lewy_official‘s cross to power home a late equaliser… and that means a LOT to the hosts!#ITVFootball | #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/MEXiF4oUEF
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 8, 2021
‘Has to take the blame’
England, in turn, have seen their advantage atop the Group I table cut to four points, after Albania made short work of San Marino this evening.
And, despite the eventual draw in Warsaw having proven their side’s first slip-up in their road towards next year’s Qatar showpiece, the Three Lions faithful have not been shy in directing their collective ire at one man in particular.
The individual in question? Gareth Southgate.
On the back of the action coming to a close on Wednesday, it was revealed that Southgate had equalled a benchmark a quarter century old, owing to his refusal to make use of the nation’s bench:
0 – England didn’t make a single substitute against Poland, the first time they have not made a sub in a match since the EURO 96 semi-final against Germany. Weary. pic.twitter.com/FC5JsaZmY8
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 8, 2021
And it is this very decision which has since resulted in the tactician being targeted by the English faithful, with just some of the social media backlash showcased below:
That goal was coming. Why doesn’t Southgate ever put subs on the pitch to help give some fresh legs!? So frustrating. #poleng
— Alex A Hamilton (@alexahamilton88) September 8, 2021
Now where have I heard this before?
We were 🤏🏿 this close to the verge of greatness in the summer, but instead 🤌🏿🤌🏿🤌🏿 https://t.co/Nwbn37PqlI
— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) September 8, 2021
Someone explain to Southgate that we can make subs please did it in euros and now doing it for the qualifiers, we can’t just rely on a 1-0 lead specially when they bringing subs on our bench is quality aswell…
— Payton (@RPayton97) September 8, 2021
I think if Southgate makes even one sub, England see out that game… No changes at all seemed odd.
— Joe Crann (@YesWeCrann) September 8, 2021
That’s on Southgate. Not a single fucking sub made
— Dom 🏴 (@DomGFCBallard) September 8, 2021
Defensive, no subs, pragmatic, and a moment of individual brilliance. Southgate ball
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) September 8, 2021
Southgate has to take the blame here. Poland attacking in waves with 6 fresh legs, and Southgate has not made a sub all game, the players were clearly tiring. A Polish equaliser was inevitable #POLENG
— Matt Wallen (@matt_wallen7) September 8, 2021
Got subs. Use them?
— CFCDaily (@CFCDaily) September 8, 2021
No sub pic.twitter.com/0jUsLJACng
— peña (@dondeestausted) September 8, 2021
Arsenal talent Karl Hein showered in praise after holding Gareth Bale and Wales at bay in MOTM display
Chelsea contingent on song as Germany hit Iceland for four
