How or where has Southgate tested himself against the top sides tactically week in week out? Throw in Steve Holland, he's not been working at the top of football since Chelsea/Conte 2016. (Steve Holland coach under Mourinho/Rafa/Conte)
The FA thought they could be at the avant garde with St. George's, winning U17,U20 tournaments few years ago - but the key figures of Southgate and Holland are still stuck in 2016.
Football has changed beyond recognition since Southgate last had a club job. I think football has become more pragmatic - whether that be with the ball, or without it. Years ago under Sven, Capello, McLaren we'd have easily turned over Macedonia away 4-0 - we have better players, their not tactically smart etc.
Southgate's England have run with that footballing pragmatism, but has never born any of the attacking freedom or luxury that Pep or even Mourinho pioneered.
My main point that I'd like talk on - Tactic/identity wise that I've noticed for a while now, compared to top European teams is how Pep described - the ball moves to the players. Southgate's football is totally the opposite - Rice running to break a midfield press/line, years ago it was Maguire running into mf to overload.
Southgate/Holland copy trends tactically, they have zero idea how they actually want England to play. TAA played midfield, then RB as a inverted RB because copy what Klopp does, now a b2b midfielder? Foden doesn't play at all, then out of position off the right, now centrally.
Watkins is pony - with a manager smart enough, I'd happily think of playing Bellingham as a roaming 9 in case Kane/when gets broken. I get why Southgate is persisting with Rashford - he's a quality player somewhere in his ether - but never on the left without a Roberto Carlos esq overlapping LB.