Has Gareth Southgate stumbled across England's best XI? Tactical analysis on the team he SHOULD pick - with THREE major changes

He got there by stumbling down blind alleys and crawling back out again, but in emerging from the darkness of the group stage, Gareth Southgate has surely found the light to put England on the right path. Save for the opening 30 minutes against Serbia — when England flew and Jude Bellingham wore a cape — the best they have played was in the closing minutes of Tuesday’s goalless draw with Slovenia. Gareth Southgate introduced three young substitutes in Tuesday's draw with Slovenia - including Cole Palmer in one of the match's only bright spots The substitution of Palmer as well as Anthony Gordon helped rejuvenate the side Kobbie Mainoo was brought on at half-time for Connor Gallagher as Southgate sought to solve his midfield puzzle He does not have to start them all, but Gordon at the very least has earned the role of first ‘finisher’, as Southgate calls his subs, and one worthy of far more than the two minutes plus stoppage time he got against Slovenia. Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden failed to click, and may have even clashed Bukayo Saka could see himself swapped for Palmer if Southgate shakes things up vs Slovakia Perhaps, even, Gordon for Bellingham with Foden moved to No 10, should the latter be back in time after ‘temporarily’ returning to the UK for the birth of his third child. But it’s that predictability — teams are pushing up the pitch because we’re not unpredictable.’ Phil Foden has been a perpetual bright spark for Manchester City this season and could dazzle for England in his favoured position Gordon stressed the importance of England finding a way to be more direct in the knockouts It was just as interesting when he added: ‘The group we’ve got on the bench at the minute are on fire.’ As the terrace ode to Foden goes, you can’t start a fire without a spark.