Carsley to ditch England experiment but remains attack-minded

Interim boss Lee Carsley will not change his attacking approach when England face Finland on Sunday despite the surprise defeat by Greece that dented his chances of landing the role permanently.

England had enjoyed an encouraging start to their Nations League campaign under Carsley, with wins over the Republic of Ireland and Finland before Thursday's setback at Wembley.

Carsley's experiment in fielding five attackers without an out-and-out striker backfired as Greece ran out 2-1 winners.

England will look to bounce back in Helsinki this weekend and Carsley insisted "nothing changes" in terms of his attacking approach.

"The way I want my teams to play, I want us to attack and when we had the players we have available, I wanted to try something different," said Carsley, who has been put in temporary charge until November while the Football Association seeks a permanent successor following Gareth Southgate's departure.

“Hindsight is perfect because it never happened.

"It wouldn’t stop me trying something different in the future because I have done OK being like this.

"I had 17, 18, 19 years as a player being defensive and just sitting in there and playing on the counter-attack.

"That is definitely not how I want to coach. Nothing changes in that respect."

'I probably won't try that again'

Long-serving captain Harry Kane is pushing for a return after missing the Greece match with a knock.

Carsley still feels "there is definitely some potential" to play Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer in the same side moving forward, but said: "I probably won't try that again on Sunday."

He added: "I have coached enough to know we need to do something different. Had Harry been fit, I might have gone down another route."

Jack Grealish could also be involved in Finland, having joined Kane in sitting out a loss that damaged Carsley's chance of becoming permanent England manager.

"I know it is a boring answer but nothing changes in my respect," added Carsley on his chances of becoming the next permanent Three Lions boss.

"The remit was to do the three camps and nothing has changed. I know it went so well in the last camp, we have had a disappointing night but I don't get too high or too low.

"I have definitely not felt that [it's mine to lose]. I have tried to be as clear as I can in terms of what I am here to do.

"I have done this interim role at three places and tried to be up front as I can.

"I am really privileged and feel really trusted that I am in this position and nothing changes."

'Defeat will give FA something to think about'

Analysis by Ian Dennis, senior football reporter, BBC Radio 5 Live

It was a bold line-up from Lee Carsley [against Greece]. He said it was an experiment and he wants his side to take risks.

Had it come off it, would have undoubtedly enhanced his claims [for the job]. He is a contender and he will be judged by results.

Therefore a defeat by Greece at Wembley is a setback for him and it might just give FA chief executive Mark Bullingham and FA technical director John McDermott something to think about.

While Lee Carsley has been guarded about whether he wants the job - and he has been asked numerous times - Bullingham and McDermott have been very guarded as well.

They are leading the recruitment process but they are keeping their cards close to their chest too.

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