LEE CARSLEY’S tactical experiment of playing no strikers backfired as Vangelis Pavlidis’ double secured an emotional shock win for Greece at Wembley.

Interim England boss Carsley played all three of our nation’s gifted No10s – Phil Foden, Jue Bellingham and Cole Palmer – in varying positions.

But it did not work and the Greeks took a deserved lead thanks to Pavlidis’ belting second-half finish.

The visitors then held up a shirt in celebration bearing the name Baldock – in reference to their team-mate George Baldock, whose passing at the age of just 31 on Wednesday rocked the world of football.

Bellingham looked to have ensured the points were shared with a thunderous strike with three minutes to go.

But there was still time for Pavlidis to expose some woeful defending deep into injury time by firing past Jordan Pickford.

Here are SunSport’s player ratings from a dire night for England under the arch.

Jordan Pickford: 4

Wandered into no-man’s-land territory outside his box early on and lost the ball, allowing Greek skipper Tasos Baksetas a free shot at goal – only to be saved by Levi Colwill’s last-gasp clearance. Did not instil confidence, despite his experience.

Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6

Some tasty passes – they are his speciality, after all – but not great at the back. He, John Stones and Cole Palmer were weak in their attempt to close down Vangelis Pavlidis before the Benfica man smashed home the opener.

John Stones: 5

Made captain for what was his 82nd cap, surpassing Rio Ferdinand’s haul. But it was a shaky display from his defence and Stones should have done better to stop Pavlidis.

Levi Colwill: 7

Greece would have been ahead far sooner were it not for Colwill’s athletic hack away to deny Bakasetas. Replays showed it would have crossed the line had the Chelsea man been a split second later with his incredible intervention.

Rico Lewis: 6

Tried to bomb up the left flank where he could but, just like Kieran Trippier at the Euros, was hamstrung by constantly having to cut back onto his favoured right foot.

Declan Rice: 6

Played as England’s only holding midfielder, as fans had been imploring Gareth Southgate to use him for years. It was not like he was overrun but his side did look vulnerable on the counter.

Phil Foden: 4

Spent most of the game pressing the Greek backline as a false nine without really getting on the ball and causing any damage. Ineffective. 

Cole Palmer: 6

Deployed in a deeper, central-midfield role which at least meant he saw plenty of the ball, though he blazed England’s best chance of the first half over the bar. Remarkably, his first competitive England start, despite being named on Tuesday as Three Lions player of the 2023-24 season. 

Bukayo Saka: 5

Struggled to get into the game and then was forced out of it, worryingly limping off early in the second half. The last thing Arsenal fans wanted to see.

Jude Bellingham: 7 STAR MAN

Played in a false nine position and had a belting early shot well saved. The system did not work but Bellingham still so nearly emerged as the saviour by banging in his first goal of the season for club and country.

Anthony Gordon: 5

Caused Greece few problems and his touch looked off it. Had a decent chance from Alexander-Arnold’s peach of a delivery but headed over.

SUBS: 

Noni Madueke (for Saka 52): Played out on the left, rather than his natural right, when coming on. Went down in the box deep into injury time but no penalty was given. 6

Ollie Watkins (for Gordon 60): Almost scored with his first touch when played through by Palmer, but smashed just over. 7

Dominic Solanke (for Foden 72): Grabbed an assist when laying the ball back to Bellingham who thumped in the leveller. 7

Manager Lee Carsley: 4

Seemed to gamble unnecessarily with this experimental system instead of playing it safe to add another win to boost his case to earn the job full-time. Carsley played without a natural centre-forward when winning the Under-21 Euros because he had to after Flo Balogun switched the USA and Rhian Brewster got injured, but here he did it by choice and it did not work. Bellingham looked to have saved his bacon – but then Pavlidis struck again.

Fleetwood turned to the inexperienced Charlie Adam as manager last season but he could not prevent relegation from League One.

The Scotsman has the Cod Army in the final play-off spot, playing an attractive possession-based style but they could drop out of the top seven on Saturday with their game against Colchester postponed because of international call-ups.

After defeat by Crawley in the play-off final, Crewe have regrouped and five wins from six matches has them in eighth place before their trip to Doncaster.

The Gresty Road club lost the goals of Elliott Nevitt and Courtney Baker-Richardson in the summer when they turned down new deals, while Rio Adebisi and Luke Offord also opted for pastures new.

Manager Lee Bell did convince forward Chris Long to sign a new contract and former Stevenage striker Kane Hemmings will have to plug the gap up front.

Bradford are always tipped to be up among the frontrunners and in Graham Alexander they have a man who has promotion experience from League Two with Fleetwood.

The Bantams also have the prolific Andy Cook, and if he stays fit they will surely remain in the frame.

Newport are going down a different route after dispensing with the services of Graham Coughlan and appointing the former Swansea coach, Nelson Jardim.

The Portuguese is well known to Newport owner Huw Jenkins from their time together at Liberty Stadium, and the loan signing of striker Kyle Hudlin looks a smart piece of business.

Along with Bradford and Newport, Grimsby find themselves just one point outside the play-off spots with manager David Artell waxing lyrical about their recent win at Gillingham.

A subsequent 3-0 home defeat by Doncaster felt like a dose of reality and they will need to plug a leaky defence which is the third worst in the division.

Fresh from romping to the National League title by 12 points, Chesterfield were many pundits’ tip for promotion and, despite an inconsistent start, a four-match unbeaten run may indicate they are getting to grips with things.

With James Berry, Armando Dobra, Will Grigg and Dilan Markanday in his ranks, manager Paul Cook is well stocked with the firepower needed to sustain a promotion push.

A lunchtime win over Notts County for the Spireites would push them up from 12th to seventh.

Brady’s contribution followed a first-half howler by his central defensive partner Nathan Collins, who gifted the Finns the opening goal when his woefully hit attempted backpass allowed Joel Pohjanpalo in to score.

The 32-year-old played a prominent part in the Republic’s Euro 2016 campaign but injuries have played a part in his failure to re-establish himself on a consistent basis under recent managers.

“All you can do is get your head down and work hard and that’s what I’ve been doing,” added Brady.

“I’ve got game time under my belt at club level, I feel fit. I’ve had a fair share of injuries over the years, that hasn’t helped.

“But I will always continue to work hard if it gives me half a chance of getting back and playing in a green jersey I’ll give everything I have.”

The Republic of Ireland travel to Athens on Tuesday to face Greece, who beat England 2-1 on Thursday.

PORTUGAL eye nine points from three games to start the Nations League when they travel to Poland in League A1.

And brand new Betfred customers can claim a smashing £50 in free bets when they sign-up and stake a tenner on the international showdown.

Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles here

• Poland vs Portugal: Get £50 free bets HERE*

How to claim..

Betfred welcome offer

1. Visit the Betfred website HERE*
2. Register an account using the Promo Code: BETFRED50
3. Deposit £10 using a Debit Card
4. Place your first bet of £10 or more on any qualifying Sportsbook markets, at odds of Evens or greater
5. Once that bet has settled, Betfred will credit your account with £50 in Free Bets

Betfred: Get your £50 in free bets – Claim here*

• Poland vs Portugal: Get £50 free bets HERE*

New to Betfred? Then you can claim this incredible offer.

Simply visit the Betfred website using this link HERE* and register a new account using the Promo Code: BETFRED50

Then you just need to deposit and stake £10 on any football market at odds of Evens or greater.

When that first bet has settled — win or lose — Betfred will credit your account with the following free bets;

• 3 x £10 to use on any Sportsbook Markets
• 2 x £10 to use on Accumulators (4+ selections)

FREE BET SIGN UP DEALS FOR FOOTBALL

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk

*New customers only. Register with BETFRED50. Deposit £10+ via Debit Card and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. T&Cs apply.

Once Maguire left to fulfil his NRL ambitions, Wane was subsequently promoted to the top job and was to continue the legacy.

Peet enjoyed a similar trajectory, working his way through a number of roles and a spell in rugby union to succeed Adrian Lam after the 2021 season.

His even-keel nature, thoughtfulness and ability to draw on the expertise of others have allowed him to navigate Wigan to success.

And boy, what success. Two Challenge Cups, two League Leaders’ Shields, a World Club Challenge win over four-in-a-row premiers Penrith, and a Grand Final. Soon, they hope in Wigan, to become two.

Players love his manner, he believes in the collective and has sold that to his players. Never too high, never too low. But always on.

Peet trusts in youth, and has been rewarded. Brad O’Neill, Zach Eckersley and perhaps the most impressive young player in the country Junior Nsemba have all thrived under his guidance and pay tribute to his coaching.

His side has lifted trophy after trophy, enviably. But it is success built on humility and hard work.