Lee Carsley closing in on permanent England job after comfortable wins over Ireland and Finland
LEE CARSLEY is ready to take on the massive pressure that comes with the England job.
The interim manager is increasingly likely to replace Gareth Southgate full-time after two wins in his first two games.
Carsley came under fire for not singing the national anthem ahead of his first match against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday.
But asked whether he is preparing for everything, he replied: “Am I up for it? Yes. It is more about the football, definitely.
“From a confidence point of view, I’ve shown I can do it, or we’ve shown we can do it as a staff.
“It’s built up nicely for the next camp. The squad selection almost starts immediately, so there’s no rest.”
Carsley has six Nations League games to make his mark.
England ran out 2-0 winners against the Irish on Saturday and then Finland on Tuesday.
Next, the Three Lions are at home to Greece on October 10 before travelling to Helsinki to face Finland three days later.
Although being manager of England has always been known as the impossible job, Carsley claimed: “I’ve not heard that one. It’s a really good job.
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
“It’s one where, when you look at different opportunities, the first thing you think is: ‘Can you win?’
“This job definitely ticks that box. We’ve got the players to not only be competitive, but to win a major trophy.”
Carsley, understandably, was in good spirits on Tuesday night after Harry Kane’s double finished the Finns at Wembley.
The former Everton midfielder added: “Yes, it’s been a good week.
“You play it out in your mind how it’s going to go and it definitely couldn’t have gone any better in terms of the way the players responded to some of the concepts we tried to put in place.
“The way the new players have gelled with the old ones. It’s been an all-round positive camp.
“I’ve been lucky enough to see the job up close over the last couple of years with me doing the Under-21s, so I could see some of the challenges that go with it.”
Over both games, there was certainly a difference with the style of play, as illustrated by the brilliant move which led to Jack Grealish’s goal in reland.
Some of the overall style against Finland – with Angel Gomes in his deep-lying midfield role – was also extremely encouraging.
Carsley added: “We’re really lucky with players we’ve got on the pathway. We’ve got some really exciting players.
“The first thing I look at in a player is what they’re really good at, rather than what they can’t do. The stuff they can’t do we try and hide.
“We’ve had that paid back with the performances the players have put in. It’s not surprising because of the quality we’ve got.”
Carsley will be back at his other job tomorrow, coaching students aged 16 to 21 at an academy in the west Midlands.
England ratings vs Finland: Kane bags double on his big day... but he's not the Three Lions' star man
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD showed his brilliance as Harry Kane’s brace saw England beat Finland.
Interim boss Lee Carsley maintained his 100 per cent win record in charge of England.
SunSports Tom Barclay has given their ratings of the England players…
Jordan Pickford – 6
Had nothing to do.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – STAR MAN 9
England’s best player as he supplied some beautiful balls from deep that on another day would have led to a glut of assists.
He did get one in the end, although that was more thanks to Harry Kane’s lethal finishing.
Ezri Konsa – 6
Showed his ability on the ball with a super ball through for Bukayo Saka on the half hour.
Twisted his ankle early in the second half, surprisingly played on before being replaced on the hour.
John Stones – 6
Played at left-sided centre-back before shifting when Levi Colwill came on.
Solid though not much to deal with. Now 19 short of 100 caps.
Rico Lewis – 7
In the right place to snuff out early danger from ex-Norwich man Teemu Pukki.
Came close to a goal on his second England cap when prodding wide after the break.
Declan Rice – 5
Lost possession to give Finland their one and only big chance which Topi Kesinen should have squared to Pukki, but instead fired wildly over.
Angel Gomes – 7
Wanted the ball from the off, just like Lee Carsley thought he would. Deliciously drilled cross-field ball to Alexander-Arnold early doors showed his range.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Almost scored and almost assisted in a lively display.
Unlucky that Kane was millimetres offside after the centurion had headed home the Arsenal man’s wicked delivery.
Jack Grealish – 7
Enjoyed being in the heart of the action at No10 again, as he did on Saturday against the Republic of Ireland.
Carsley clearly likes him – it will be fascinating to see what happens when Mssrs Bellingham, Foden and Palmer all return.
Anthony Gordon – 7
Caused problems down the left with his rapid pace – how we needed some of that in the Euros.
But did not have on his shooting boots as he fluffed a decent chance early in the second half.
Harry Kane – 8
Two blistering finishes took the centurion to an astonishing 68 goals in 100 caps.
Was denied the chance of a hat-trick in front of his family when subbed off to a standing ovation for the final ten.
Kane said he fancies his chances of reaching a ton of international goals – and it does not seem fanciful.
SUBS
Levi Colwill (on for Konsa, 61) – 6
Next to no threat from Finland by the time he came on.
Eberechi Eze (on for Gordon, 66) – 6
Raced on to yet another special Trent pass but could not loop it over the keeper.
Noni Madueke (on for Saka, 66) – 7
Looked to make an impact every time he got the ball on debut. Excellent one-two with Trent saw the Chelsea man tee up Kane’s second.
Marc Guehi (on for Stones, 80) – 6
As with Colwill, little to do.
Jarrod Bowen (on for Kane, 81) – 6
Played up top after Kane went off for the final minutes, as he has done for West Ham.