Roy Keane’s Scathing Analysis: England’s World Cup Qualifying Performance Raises Questions

Critical Assessment of England’s Recent Performance

England secured a 2-0 victory against Andorra at Villa Park, but the win was overshadowed by criticism from Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane regarding the team’s conservative approach and excessive backward passing.

Match Details and Keane’s Analysis

The match, which marked England’s first appearance in the 2025-26 campaign, saw them face European minnows Andorra, ranked 174th in FIFA rankings. The hosts broke the deadlock with an Andorra own goal in the first half, followed by Declan Rice adding a second from a Reece James cross.

Keane, known for his forthright opinions, observed that “the manager didn’t look too happy at the end” and expressed frustration with the second-half performance. He emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards and good habits, noting that England had reverted to “their old ways” with excessive sidewards and backwards passes.

Wider Implications

The German coach described the match as “chewing gum football” and called for more enthusiasm from his players. While England maintains their unbeaten qualifying run, the performance has raised questions about the team’s ability to maintain attacking fluency against weaker opposition.

With a more challenging fixture against Serbia approaching, Keane emphasized the need for immediate improvements, stating, “We’re on about habits and standards. You want to see them being more positive, with the talent they’ve got”.

The criticism from Keane, a former professional player best known for his Premier League career and Manchester United captaincy, carries significant weight. As one of Ireland’s most decorated footballers and someone named in FIFA’s 100 greatest living players list in 2004, his analysis provides valuable insight into England’s current form and potential areas for improvement.