Gareth Southgate urged not to make one specific tactical tweak in Euro 2024 opener

Gareth Southgate has been told he doesn't need to play three or five at the back when his side face Serbia on Sunday.

Speaking on Reach's new Euro Thrash podcast, which you can find in YouTube, Apple and Spotify, former Spurs full back Danny Rose has instructed the national team boss to avoid making a tactical shift in his defence for England's Euro 2024 curtain raiser. Rose believes the way the Serbians set up means Southgate doesn't have to deploy a back three or five to deal with their attacking threat.

"With respect to Mitrovic and Tadic, England have to realise that they are not going to run in behind, so I don't think there is any need to play with the three or five at the back," Rose said. The ex Sunderland man also thinks that Southgate's centre halves, or even whoever he selects as his deep lying midfielder, will do a good job of dealing with former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic themselves and there's no need for cover, adding: "The two centre-backs or holding midfielder can take care of Mitrovic."

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However, Rose has sent a warning to England over Fenerbahce star Dusan Tadic, who is expected to face England at the weekend. The former England international believes that England's Kieran Trippier will have a job on his hands to stifle the tricky forward and he has to ensure the ex Southampton man isn't allowed to cut in from the left.

"For Trippier, just don't let Tadic come in on his left and then that is half of the problems solved for England, " Rose said. "I wasn't keen on playing against defenders that could cut in, because once they get half a yard and when you have a left-foot like him, the ball goes into the box and as soon as it goes in, it's my fault. Tadic has a great left-foot and he is very strong."

Speaking on the pod, alongside fellow ex-pro Wes Brown, Rose also commended Southgate's managerial qualities and revealed the national team boss is a very personable figure and that his friendly nature has hugely contributed to England's success in recent years.

He said: "I don't want to say he is one of the lads, but he is very approachable. He'll come and ask every one of you how are you? How are you doing? How's your family? He has a very good relationship with the players in his camp.

"It is not a coincidence that since he's taken over, everyone has started to believe that England are close to doing something and that is because of the atmosphere you create."

Former Manchester United defender Brown concurred with Rose when it comes to Southgate's managerial style. "You have to have a relationship with the players and it doesn't necessarily mean you are mates, but as a manager, you have to be able to talk to the players," he said.

"These players are running round for you and putting the effort in for every game, and it is only respect for the manager as well. The manager earns that respect and Southgate has with these players, you can see that since the day he came in."

Watch and listen to Euro Thrash on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify with regular new episodes throughout Euro 2024