Keane Critiques England’s Performance Despite Andorra Win

England secured a 2-0 victory against Andorra at Villa Park, maintaining their perfect record in World Cup qualifying. Despite the win, former player and current pundit Roy Keane expressed disappointment over the team’s performance, suggesting they reverted to “old ways” with excessive sideward and backward passing.

Criticism of England’s Playing Style

Keane’s comments followed a match that featured an own goal and a header from Declan Rice in the second half. While the outcome was positive, Keane noted that this performance did not significantly surpass England’s earlier struggle against Andorra in June. The team, managed by Thomas Tuchel, started strongly but found it challenging to penetrate Andorra’s organized defense.

Although England held 83 percent possession, they managed only 11 shots throughout the match. “The manager didn’t look too happy at the end,” Keane remarked on ITV. He continued to emphasize the need for England to set higher standards and develop better habits. “I still think England fell back into their old ways tonight, certainly in the second half,” he added, highlighting the team’s tendency to make unnecessary backward passes.

Tuchel’s Perspective and Player Evaluations

In the post-match press conference, Tuchel maintained a positive outlook on the team’s development. He praised the players for their behaviour and training during the camp and reiterated his belief that they are progressing. “I’m absolutely convinced that we are on the right way and on the right path,” he stated.

Despite this optimism, Tuchel did not shy away from critiquing the performances of key attackers such as Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, and Marcus Rashford. He noted that the team missed opportunities to accelerate the game, which led to missed chances for more goals. “We should have scored the second one earlier because the second goal gave us much more freedom,” he explained.

Tuchel also highlighted the impressive debut of Elliot Anderson, who played as a deep-lying midfielder. Before the match, Tuchel had hinted at potential issues in this position but praised Anderson for his adaptability and strong performance. “He passed the test,” Tuchel said, commending Anderson for his physicality and mobility on the pitch.

As England prepares for their next match against Serbia on October 17, 2023, the team will aim to build on this victory while addressing the concerns raised by Keane and their coach. The focus will be on improving their attacking efficiency and maintaining a consistent playing style that aligns with their aspirations for the upcoming World Cup.