After Lee Carsley suffered his first setback in his bid to become England manager – if he wants the role, it is said – Sky Sports' Football journalists take a look at what went wrong in the 2-1 home defeat to Greece.

Too many stars, not enough balance

Lee Carsley should have learned from the mistakes of his predecessors. You just can't put a lot of stars on a team and hope for the best.

There was excitement that the man set to replace Gareth Southgate would move away from the cautious approach of the last regime, but England went into full attack, scoring two at home to Greece, the world's 48th-best nation On goal.

Although Southgate was more moderate, he too fell into the same trap. He chose star names over balance at the European Championships, perhaps to control his egos, and it backfired. England reached the final but never looked like a team worthy of leaving with the trophy.

It was naive of Carsley to believe that Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon in a starting XI would be a sustainable line-up, especially given – in Carsley's words – only 20 minutes of training time in the system the day before the game. Even if England had sailed past Greece, what purpose would that serve in a major tournament?

England need a coach strong enough to ditch the stars, someone with the seriousness to deal with the consequences when they make the big decisions, and Carsley doesn't seem to fit that category.

The impossible task proved too great for coaches far more experienced than England's interim coach. Those who finally succeed must be even more merciless towards the stars.
Zinny Boswell

Why overlook Watkins & Solanke even though Kane isn't fit?

England's interim coach Lee Carsley decided to start the Nations League duel against Greece on Thursday evening with five attackers on the pitch, but in the absence of the injured Harry Kane without a real striker, with the two in-form frontmen Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke to follow the action from the substitutes' bench.

However, this system clearly failed to get the best out of the team in possession, as England only had two shots on target – in the third minute and the 87th minute goal – both from Bellingham, while leaving it vulnerable for counterattacks made without them as the visitors recorded their first win at Wembley.

Carsley, who substituted Watkins after an hour and Solanke followed 12 minutes later as the hosts switched to 4-4-2, explained afterwards that the aim was to fill the starting eleven with attacking talent but without a centre-forward. The loss: ” I think it’s about trying something different.”

“We expect to simply pick a team that comfortably beats Greece at Wembley. You have to take into account that your opponents are highly motivated and will try to stop you.”

Carsley hopes his captain will be back at the helm against Finland in Helsinki on Sunday, although the 50-year-old still wouldn't rule out adopting a similar attacking line-up in future games despite the team's imbalance against Greece.

“I don’t think this approach should be ruled out. Sometimes we have to be creative, especially with the players we have, but there were obviously a lot of challenges tonight.”
Richard Morgan

Foden is producing another English dud show

“You can’t light a fire without a spark,” was the saying England fans gave Phil Foden at Euro 2024. That spark hasn't flickered for a while.

Another gap for Foden means the Three Lions have now failed to score or assist for 15 games in a row. He scored his last international goal 12 months ago.

Foden will point out that he does not have a permanent place in this England team, with last season's Premier League Player of the Season often based on the left, particularly at Euro 2024.

But the game against Greece was a chance for Foden to show his skills in a free central role and he finished the game with zero chances, zero shots and zero completed take-ups.

When will we see the real Phil Foden for England?
Sam Blitz

Is Alexander-Arnold England's best option at right-back?

Trent Alexander-Arnold made his first consecutive start for England for the first time in his career in Thursday night's defeat to Greece.

Under Carsley, it is a symbol of the growing importance and potential to crack the code of getting the best out of one of England's most prolific players.

But despite Alexander-Arnold creating the most chances of any player on the field, his defensive play was again called into question. His lackadaisical performance in defense ensured that Greece continued to have fun on the left side of the pitch.

The question is whether Kyle Walker remains England's best option at right-back. Walker was included back in the squad for this round of internationals and was an unused substitute against Greece.

The Manchester City right-back has fallen down the pecking order following his disappointing performances at Euro 2024 in the summer, but may remain the tried and trusted right-back.

Carsley appears keen to lower the average age of his England squad and at 34, Walker is likely to represent the old guard in the Three Lions squad, represented more for his experience than what he can bring to the side .

However, since Alexander-Arnold has not yet determined the position convincingly, Walker could end up back in the team.
William Bitibiri

Is Guehi's omission too harsh after Euro 2024 heroics?

England looked suspect defensively and their best defender at Euro 2024 was on the bench.

Marc Guehi hasn't had a great season at Crystal Palace, but the reputation he built last summer as the Three Lions' most reliable defense in Germany appears to have disappeared.

Carsley chose John Stones – captain that night – and Levi Colwill in defence, the first time the pair had played together in England's central defense. With so much uncertainty at the top of the pitch, some stability and recognizable faces at the back would certainly have helped the experiment.

Stones and Colwill were fine at the back – the latter in particular has started the season well for Chelsea and there are many more problems in this England team than the centre-back pairing.

But when England looked unconvincing at Euro 2024, Guehi bailed out the England defense to ensure they continued to progress through the rounds and pick up victories. The Palace defender's fall seems strange.
Sam Blitz