Ladies and gentleman, England will be playing…

Four. Four. Fucking. Two.

The comical character of Mike Bassett, portrayed by Ricky Tomlinson, sought to hone in on the ineptitude of English football. The obsession with the basics, over emphasis on ‘spirit’ and an unwillingness to learn and progress tactically.

It’s 2019 now, though, and things have moved on greatly. The Premier League went through a 4-2-3-1 revolution, Antonio Conte made the back three trendy and the dominant formation now, courtesy of Messrs Guardiola and Klopp, is 4-3-3.

The latter is the favoured formation of Gareth Southgate, who has moved on from the 3-5-2 used at last summers World Cup. It has also been England’s formation of choice during this summers World Cup under Phil Neville, moving away from the 4-2-3-1 he has also made use of.

The formation has seen a kind of staggered central midfield trio. Kiera Walsh has been the deep lying midfielder, tasked with the role of shielding the defence as well as participating in build up. Jill Scott has been an all action No8 shuttler, while Fran Kirby has floated in a quasi-No10 role. Her position still maintains some ties with a 4-2-3-1.

It’s a system that has worked well offensively for the Lionesses, and has also been implemented by other sides such as the Netherlands and Canada. While England’s defence has left a bit to be desired, their attack has been scintillating at times.

What has been particularly fearsome about England’s attack is the manic right wing duo of Lucy Bronze and Nikita Parris. The full back and winger, who will link up at Lyon next season, have comfortably been one of the most threatening duos this whole tournament. Arguably, the most threatening.

With this considered, it is frustrating that Neville took the decision to go for a ‘solid’ 4-4-2 against the USA last night.

Parris went to centre forward alongside Ellen White, and the threat from the right wing was quelled. Considering this was something the USA were so scared of that they dropped their best player - Megan Rapine - to bench to counteract, it seems like an ridiculous decision.

Of course, the logic will likely have its roots in the fact that the USA are the best team in the world, and are a massive threat. A nice sturdy, functional 4-4-2 should do the trick, right?

Wrong.

England’s defence has been suspect all tournament, but had fortunately remained unpunished. Both Steph Houghton and Millie Bright have a tendency to lose positional awareness, which Norway should have exploited better in their quarter final tie with the Lionesses.

Hollywood tackles and blocks may look great, but they are generally the symptoms of initial defensive errors.

The Lionesses’ formation switch did little to amend these laxities. Yes, it’s a structured and balanced formation, but it meant that England had little defensive cover and control in central midfield.

Kiera Walsh couldn’t screen the back line as effectively without vacating space in midfield, while Jill Scott was restricted from making her bursting forward runs.

England’s playing out from the back style was also hampered by the flat nature of the midfield, as well as the by lack of Fran Kirby. The attacking midfielder has, at times, been a little hit and miss, but her guile in midfield was greatly missed.

Neville’s formation change, in essence, stunted England’s attack while also failing to provide any adequate extra defensive solidity.

That’s not to say 4-4-2 is completely without its values. Used in the right situation, in the right way and with the right players, it can still prove an effective tactic.

But last night, it was not the formation that England needed.