A lacklustre England qualify for the last 16 of the Euro’s without impressing in any of the games. Some may take hope from qualification whilst not playing well, however, the signs of the English display are not encouraging.
Despite the lackluster performances England top group and that is a job done. But as England fans, we need to dream, we need to live on the hope of performance. Standing in a pub, telling our mates what we saw, whilst driving off the energy of one game that lifts us for two years.
Sometimes it’s harsh but we don’t care about the results ( or we wouldn’t really be complaining now) we need a scorcher, we want to hear the words “take bow, son!” from Andy Gray. Emotion is all we have, dare us to dream.
Ahem ahem, one thing though … we have an easier route to the final now.
Lacklustre England qualify for the last 16 England vs Slovenia match report
In the England vs Slovenia match report the stats suggest we had more possession, 74% and 12 shots, with 4 on target, we were in charge but it does not feel that way.
“England have Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Kobbie Mainoo, Phil Foden – massive, massive talents and we cannot afford to mismanage them,” But the are talents within very good teams that play in a system that works for them, but England don’t.
Gary Neville – former England defender on ITV
The only hope from last nights game between England vs Slovenia match report from Cologne was that the team that finished the game played much better than the one that started. They played with so much fluidity and purpose when Carlton Palmer and Gordon came on.
A bright spark was the addition of Mainoo the Man United midfielder, who impressed with his energy and determination in the middle of the park.
Southgate’s side were booed off, and some empty cups were thrown at the Three Lions boss following another below-par display.
Some England fans’ reactions to the team’s performances at Euro 2024 are “creating an unusual environment…”I’m not going to back away from it,” he said. “The most important thing is the supporters stay with the team.”
England manager Gareth Southgate.
The England manager said he “understands” why fans have expressed their displeasure at disappointing performances and results, which included a 1-0 success over Serbia in their opening match of the tournament.
Expectations on England are unrealistic
The barmy army, and the Ex-player turned pundits, have placed unrealistic expectations on the English team. They have been elevated to world beaters but realistically don’t have a system of play that can take on the big teams.
The pressure of these expectations are starting to weigh on the shoulders of the player. Conor Gallagher is one of those who is feeling the pressure, no doubt, he is a good player but that anxiety and eagerness to impress is showing in his performance.
The team is made up of talented individuals but since non of them are Maradona, non of them will win th world cup on their own.
England players are struggling with the criticism
In the aftermath of game Gareth Southgate also revealed the pressure and response from some supporters are beginning to tell “causing an issue for the group” and has tried to rally the troops to back the players.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “I was not going to back away from going over to thank people for coming and giving the support that they did, but I know that this is causing an issue for the group as the England players are struggling with the criticism.
“I can deal with that but I need them to support the players.”
Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford conceded England have “not played our best” and coming under fire is understandable.
“No game is easy and we are going to come under criticism – we have to deal with that. We have finished top of the group and we have not played our best,” he added … “We have got to keep a positive mindset and bring the positives. We know we weren’t perfect, but we didn’t get beat in three games.”
Jordan Pickford England Goalkeeper
Foden or Bellingham
The English dilemma keeps reappearing, ‘is it Gerrard or Lampard’ and now that’s become is it Foden or Bellingham.
The problem with these two players is they operate in the same space, and even though Foden is he comes out and plays in the middle providing no width to England’s game. That is quite obvious, but the bigger problem becomes when Saka also comes inside to get the ball.
This static form of play is causing England to pass sideways and backwards and no player is making penetrating runs behind. And that’s the way the Three Lions have to play. Pressure upfront, closing down in numbers and being able to stretch the game and making runs behind.
Harry Kane is dropping short to open up the space behind him, and although he has played his best, he is still good enough to make that system work. Kane drops deep and Foden and Saka should be on their bikes, for Bellingham or Rice to find them.
That’s also the way to use Trent at his best, if the players offer width and run, that’s when Trent’s passing ability comes into play. He will find them first time and take the entire team out with one pass. No team, not even France, Germany or Portugal can stop that, it is lethal and unplayable.
England Euro 2024 rank 17th out of 24 teams for the amount of shots taken in this tournament – 29 – and 19th for expected goals – 2.26. Sometimes you can get lost in these statistics and if England can play like a pack of lions instead of bambi on skates, none of those stats will mater.
