Intense debate breaks out over "negative" Southgate approach ahead of France tie

From the moment the final whistle blew at the end of the win over Senegal, Gareth Southgate's thoughts would have turned towards the challenge posed by mighty France.

By the time he hands in his team sheet at Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday night, Southgate will have had six days to stew over his selection. Surely you stick with a winning team? Not necessarily so. These are the world champions facing England and, crucially, they have Kylian Mbappe.

So, does Southgate stick or twist when it comes to picking the starting XI which will try to book a World Cup semi-final place? Chief sports writer Andy Dunn and chief football writer John Cross agree to disagree…

ANDY DUNN - Three at the back

Football never works this way, but imagine if England play against France as they did in the opening half-hour of their win over Senegal and France play the way they did in the closing half-hour of their win over Poland.

Gareth Southgate's men would be gone in 30 minutes. With respect to Watford's talented 24-year-old striker, Kylian Mbappe is no Ismaila Sarr. It goes without saying but - after the challenges posed by Iran, United States, Wales and Senegal - France are a different ball game.

Bizarrely, there are still some out there, including pundits such as Graeme Souness, who believe it has never been off, but this is the time for Southgate to put the handbrake back on.

Manchester City fans will regale you with stories of how Kyle Walker has had Mbappe in his pocket but the England defender's pocket looked a bit threadbare the other night and, with Harry Maguire one of the two middle-men, the cover from the centre-half position is not the speediest.

Walker's pace will be useful to counter Mbappe but the more secure option would be to use him on the right of a back three. The 3-4-3 option - or whatever you would like to call it - would mean using wing-backs.

Kieran Trippier (for what it's worth, I'd go Trent Alexander-Arnold, but that really is pie in the sky) and Luke Shaw would come into the side and Southgate would have to sacrifice one of the three midfielders who did so well against Senegal. It is obviously not going to be Jude Bellingham, who has struck up such a good understanding and dynamic with Declan Rice, so it would have to be Jordan Henderson, which would be incredibly harsh.

And any alteration to the starting line-up from the last 16 - especially a reversion to that formation which features three central defenders - would bring instant criticism from all and sundry.

But this England manager takes no notice of what he likes to call 'the outside noise' and if he - and his right-hand man, Steve Holland - thinks a change in tactics and formation will give his team the best chance of beating the world champions, he will make the change.

After England's free-scoring exploits, there is an obvious temptation to fight fire with fire, but put water on the French fire first and then go for the kill in the dying embers of the game.

JOHN CROSS - Four at the back

Gareth Southgate has found the perfect tactical balance - and would be so wrong to change it.

England have been a breath of fresh air at this World Cup because they have stuck with a back four and got as many attacking players in the starting XI as possible. In other words, Southgate has released the handbrake.

As a result, England were the joint top scorers in the group stage - along with Spain - with nine and have also kept three clean sheets in a row. They have found the right balance between attack and defence, they have added another midfielder into the mix with Jordan Henderson to allow England to get the best out of Jude Bellingham.

Whichever two wide forwards start alongside Harry Kane - and you can choose from about six - they will provide pace, goals and assists as well as excitement. Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish have all been superb.

Basically, England have played to their own strengths, gone on the front foot and it has worked perfectly to carry them into the quarter-finals. I'm a big believer in keeping a winning team, maintaining momentum and - even though it's France up next - I think it would be such a shame to revert to a more defensive, more introverted back three.

The back three is a system which has served Southgate well throughout his reign as he used it in the last World Cup and reached the semi-finals. He switched between systems at the last Euros and has used it consistently throughout his six year reign.

But as someone who loves to watch attacking football, I find it an ugly system which can be dull, rather predictable and can also hand the initiative to the opponent because it's set up for counter-attacking teams.

And let's be honest, here, it would be about stopping France. Kylian Mbappe has been the best player at this tournament. Les Bleus can play with four attackers with Mbappe coming in from the left, Ousmane Dembele on the right, Antoine Griezmann in the hole and Olivier Giroud up top.

Do you agree with Andy Dunn or John Cross? Have your say in the comments!

It looks intimidating. But, actually, speaking to French journalists at England's training base on Monday, they were amazed that I thought France were favourites. I think they are but, crucially, England have a chance.

Their rationale behind fancying England is Southgate's strength in depth and attacking options, particularly from the bench. England have largely been solid defensively. Kyle Walker's pace against Mbappe could be key. But England should play to their strengths - and that means playing their own game rather than trying to stop the opposition.

It has to be a 4-3-3 system over going back to a more negative back three. If England switch systems, go negative and lose, then they've only got themselves to blame. Let's go for it because this tournament, so far, has been a wonderful ride.

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