Stop-start England. Southgate and Holland have plenty of work to do to make sure #ENG are ready for #EURO2024. The return of the galvanising Bellingham will help. Stones’ ankle a big concern. #ENGICE

10 things we learned from #ENG loss to Iceland.

1: “Lord Nelson! Lord Beaverbrook! Sir Winston Churchill! Gareth Southgate! Your boys took one hell of a beating!” Iceland’s head coach Age Hareide was in the Norway team who embarrassed England in 1981 and triggered Bjørge Lillelien’s famous commentary. #ENGICE only a friendly but a famous and deserved win for Hareide’s Iceland here.

2: Pressing issue. “The most disappointing thing was we didn't press well. We have to press better, press the ball with intensity.” So said Southgate. England lacked urgency especially first half, partly why Iceland broke to score (12). Foden and Mainoo not quick enough to Haraldsson, who set up Thorsteinsson to elude Stones too easily and beat the slow-responding Ramsdale.

Rice was really the only one who pressed consistently first half, including on gk Valdimarsson. Contrast with Iceland pressing: Thorsteinsson, Haraldsson and Finsson ambushed Palmer. England were too open and didn’t keep the ball with sufficient intelligence or care. Would Grealish have protected it better?

3: Positives? Gordon brings something different to the left. Gets chalk on his boots, runs his full-back. Beat Bjarkason on a couple of occasions. Great second-half cut-back to Foden, who shot wide. But Foden should return to the left against Serbia.

4: How many No 10s? Foden dropped deep, released Trippier but promising start not maintained. The main feeling was where is the Man City Foden? Such a force for his club, the Footballer of the Year lacked impact here. Kane was more impressive, dropping back from No 9 to No 10 area to release Gordon, then dropped into centre-circle and swept passes to Walker three times. Palmer can play there.

A paper dart landed in the press box, taken from a sticker book and containing a picture of “complete baller” Bellingham. Help is at hand. Bellingham at 10 and Foden back left. Eventual return of the overlapping Shaw will assist Foden, who drifts inside to join Bellingham.

5: Positives? Guehi put in a series of important blocks, including from Traustason and was then knocked over, though not out, by Thorsteinsson shot. Painful. Doctors checked him. “Marc is fine,” Southgate said.

6: Changes. Can Southgate alter a game’s flow? Occasionally criticised for failing to react decisively, Southgate got his players to raise their intensity a bit after the break. Palmer made more runs into the area. Pressing was sharper, Kane and Gordon closing down quicker. Konsa replaced the injured Stones (h-t). Southgate twisted again (60). England now: Ramsdale; Alexander-Arnold, Konsa, Guehi, Gomez; Rice, Mainoo; Saka, Foden, Palmer; Toney. 75, Eze for Palmer. Changes made little difference, if anything England became even more disjointed. He accepted the fans’ frustration voiced with some boos at half-time, and more at the final whistle.

7: Corners. England slightly vulnerable defending them (Ingason would have scored but for Ramsdale) and far from imposing attacking them. Maguire’s presence missed.

8: Injury concerns: Stones got his right ankle trapped under Thorsteinsson. He looked rusty, coming into the game after only 111 minutes’ action in 48 days. “With John we decided at half-time there was no point in taking any chances (so subbed, had treatment). He’s a very important player for us.” Too right. 72 caps worth of experience.

9: Wembley, the stadium that never sleeps: a few England and Iceland players came out for a warmdown and were politely shepherded into one half. Pitch being mown in preparation for Challenge Cup final on Saturday. Taylor Swift soon playing eight concerts at Wembley. Stadium diary never has a blank space.

10: Portents. England have lost momentum (1 win in 5) but you can’t read too much into final games before tournaments: there have been warm-ups more notable for electric storm delays (2014), the agony of Cahill breaking his jaw (2012), Lampard missing a penalty (2010), and Sven making nine subs at half-time (2004). Against Iceland. Southgate found a positive: “Games going into tournaments can be scrappy. It gives us a chance to focus the mind.” They have nine days before Serbia.

Southgate on Stones (ankle) and Guehi (head). “With John we decided at half-time there was no point in taking any chances (so subbed, had treatment). He’s a very important player for us. Marc is fine." #ENG #ENGICE

Woeful.

#EngIce #MastodonFC

Every so often I watch England play to remind myself why I don't bother watching International football.

#EngIce #mastodonfc

Few boos at h-t. Admittedly disappointing half. #ENG lack intensity, pressing poor. Bit rusty at the back. Stones only 111 minutes’ action in 48 days. Ramsdale 180 minutes in 2024. Pickford missed. Guehi good, important block. Gordon promising down the left. #ENGICE

The C4 app on my LG smart TV doesn't have an option for Live TV.
The C4 app on my phone does. 🤷‍♂️

Im having to watch England Vs Iceland on a stream.

#C4 #EngIce #mastodonfc

Aaron Ramsdale #AFC starts for #ENG #ENGICE