Roy Keane Blasts England for Lack of Pride in Greece Defeat, Singling Out Key Player
England’s recent 2-1 defeat against Greece in the Nations League was a match to forget for fans and critics alike, and few expressed their disappointment more clearly than Roy Keane. The outspoken former Manchester United captain didn’t hold back, calling out England for their failure to do the "basics" and accusing the team of lacking pride at Wembley.
Keane was particularly critical of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who he felt set the tone for a lackluster performance from England. Pickford's carelessness with the ball in the first half, especially when he nearly gifted Greece a goal, was a sore point for Keane. He mentioned how such moments sent "a bad message" to the team, with Pickford’s lack of urgency and concentration seeping through the rest of the squad. A moment in the second half, when Pickford's poor throw almost allowed Greece to score again, only cemented his point.
Also Read:- Elon Musk Unveils $30,000 Tesla Cybercab and Robovan at Robotaxi Event
- Venezuela Holds Argentina to a Draw with Rondón’s Stunning Header in World Cup Qualifier
England’s defense came under even more fire from Keane, particularly for their handling of Greece’s striker, Vangelis Pavlidis. Pavlidis scored twice, including a stoppage-time winner, but it was his first goal that highlighted England’s defensive frailties. Keane was incredulous that Pavlidis managed to hold off several defenders without anyone putting in a strong challenge. “If that happened in training, you’d stop the session,” Keane remarked, clearly frustrated by the lack of effort to prevent the goal.
Beyond individual mistakes, Keane was unhappy with the overall team mentality. He questioned why England only seemed to play with urgency when they were already behind. According to him, this lack of initiative and defensive discipline overshadowed any creative potential the team might have had, which was particularly disappointing given the attacking talents on display.
While England interim manager Lee Carsley experimented tactically, including playing Jude Bellingham in an unfamiliar forward role, Keane saw this as a distraction from the team's real issues. Carsley’s decision not to start a recognized striker was risky, and although Bellingham managed to equalize late on, the team's defensive collapse in stoppage time showed deeper problems. England's failure to clear their lines in the dying moments allowed Pavlidis to score the decisive goal, sealing Greece’s victory.
This defeat now puts pressure on Carsley, whose hopes of becoming England’s permanent manager may depend on the upcoming match against Finland. With criticism mounting from pundits like Keane, who sees fundamental flaws in both tactics and mentality, the England setup faces tough questions.
Ultimately, Keane’s scathing assessment is a wake-up call for the Three Lions. Without the basics of defending and a sense of urgency throughout the game, England’s hopes for future success seem far from secure.
Read More:
0 Comments