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[QUOTE="IthacaMatt, post: 3901949, member: 405"]
Southgate has been setting them up very defensively, and they have been amazing in that regard.  It has cost them much in the attack, though.

Switching from essentially 7 defenders to "only" 6 free up that extra guy in attack, created more combinations, more possibilities, and they crushed Ukraine.  I think against Denmark, he does the same and plays 4-2-3-1.  It gives Kane more support, keeps him a bit farther up the pitch, where he's more dangerous.

What's happening to Kane is what happened to Rooney, slightly before his decline as an elite striker; he started playing deeper and deeper in midfield, trying to find the game.

But for now, it gets someone like Grealish or Mount  or Foden into the game against Denmark.  Those guys create moments.

If they get by Denmark, I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see them return to 3 center backs and 2 holding midfielders (7 at the back, essentially), and play a defensive struggle against Italy, whose defense has also been lights out.  England has the speed and quality to hit on the break a bit more than Italy does.  I think England's finishers are better.
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