ENGLAND’S senior stars have pleaded with their team-mates not to panic following Thursday’s dismal draw with Denmark, according to reports.
The Three Lions were booed off the pitch in Frankfurt after playing out an uninspiring 1-1 draw against the Danes.
Gareth Southgate and his side have been hit with a slew of criticism for their showing on Thursday evening, but the players are keen to ensure that things don’t blow out of proportion.
According to the Daily Mail, England’s most experienced squad members have made an effort to ensure everyone remains calm and doesn’t panic after the points were shared.
With more than ten of England’s 26-man squad playing in their first major tournament, the senior Lions have made a point of setting the right tone in the camp.
It’s said that the senior stars have stressed the importance of keeping out negativity, with the Mail’s report describing the morale as “stable”.
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While Kyle Walker, who is playing in his fifth major tournament, made a public effort to calm fans down after the game.
Speaking to the BBC post-match, he said: “I think that’s tournament football.
“This is a good Denmark team and, you know, we’re top of the group.
“So let’s try and take the positives from this game in that we’ve not lost, we’ve conceded a great strike from outside the box and sometimes you have to tip your hat for good goals.”
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Pundits and legends lay into England
ENGLAND’s lifeless display in the 1-1 draw with Denmark left pundits and legends queuing up to take a dig at Gareth Southgate’s team.
Here’s the best of what was said…
ALAN SHEARER
“Awful performance, particularly after going up in the game.
“I don’t think one England player can look at themselves and say, ‘I’ve done my job tonight’.
“England were all over the place, far too sloppy in possession, gave the ball away too much and got caught too many times.
“There was no energy, no pace, no guile — Southgate is simply not getting the best out of England’s best players.
“It’s concerning and Gareth will get some serious questions.
“You saw England players lying on their backs — they look absolutely shattered but there’s no excuse for that.”
GARY LINEKER
The BBC host called the performance “lifeless and tepid”.
On Harry Kane he said: “He needs his manager to ask more of him. I would have expected that if I’d put in that kind of performance.”
RIO FERDINAND
“The players don’t look the same as they do for their clubs. It is a big concern.”
ROY KEANE
“Courage and bravery, we’re not really seeing it.
“There’s something amiss with the balance. Bellingham is waving his arms.
“This is a big test for Gareth. It looks like he’s overthinking things.”
JAMIE CARRAGHER
“My big worry watching this and for the rest of the tournament?
“England look absolutely knackered. They can’t get close to the ball.
“The surest sign of fatigue is dropping deep.
“Declan Rice is having to cover so much ground. No-one can convince me this is a strategy.”
JACK WILSHERE
“It’s strange that we have taken the lead in both games so far, yet instead of it settling us down and giving us the confidence to play, we have failed to take control.
“But what was most worrying was that Denmark had a clear way of playing — while we didn’t.”
He added: “Listen, let’s take it as a point – a well deserved point – and we can move onto the next game”.
Despite the atmosphere being in a good place for England, there is understood to be a sense that Gareth Southgate will be making changes to his starting line-up for Tuesday’s clash with Slovenia.
Trent Alexander-Arnold could be the casualty of change with the Liverpool man likely to be switched out in the middle of the park.
The natural right-back has started at central midfield in both games so far, being hooked on both occasions and replaced by Conor Gallagher.
But despite options such as Adam Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo, Southgate has explained that he doesn’t have a replacement for Kalvin Phillips in the team.
Phillips was a regular under Southgate at Euro 2020 and a huge part of the team advancing to the final.
However, despite not playing since 2023, Southgate has suggested there is nobody who can fill his gap in the current side – woth comments that were slammed as “insulting” by Gary Lineker.
He said: “We know it is an experiment [Playing Alexander-Arnold in midfield] – we don’t have a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips – but we are trying some different things.
“At the moment, we are not flowing as we would like, that’s for sure.”
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England still remain top of Group C and will likely advance through to the last 16 regardless of their result against Slovenia on Tuesday night.
However fans will be hoping for a more inspiring and attacking display when the side travel to Cologne next week.
ENGLAND vs DENMARK RATINGS
ENGLAND stumbled to a drab 1-1 draw with Denmark.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated the Three Lions team.
Jordan Pickford: 6
Looked a little jittery early doors, though there was nothing he could do about Morten Hjulmand’s corker and he made a decent parry after the break.
Kyle Walker: 7
Made England’s opener by racing round a sleeping Victor Kristiansen – he’ll be having nightmares of that forevermore – and teeing up Kane via a deflected cross.
John Stones: 6
OK but you have got to wonder how fit he feels having barely played for Man City in the second half of the season, plus his injury and illness issues over the last month.
Marc Guehi: 8 and my star man
Really encouraging again from the Crystal Palace centre-back, looking sharp with his interceptions and assured in distribution.
Kieran Trippier: 6
Like Stones, he was fine, but England really need Luke Shaw back ASAP because having no natural left-footer at left-back is a problem.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 5
This experiment of playing Trent in midfield is far from convincing, especially when his passing was off it like it was here, barring one good ball to Saka. Subbed on 54 minutes.
Declan Rice: 5
Had to cover so much ground as England dropped worryingly deep in the first half and also lost it a few times in front of his back four.
Bukayo Saka: 7
Not quite as electric as his first half against Serbia, but another solid showing from our right winger who has been our most consistent attacker across the two games.
Jude Bellingham: 6
Nowhere near the majestic display he put in against Serbia and one of many who looked tired.
Phil Foden: 7
Was far more involved than against Serbia – although that was not hard – and had a few dangerous efforts from range, including one that smacked the post after the break.
Harry Kane: 6
Netted his 64th goal for his country with an opener he could not really miss, but then gave the ball away from Denmark’s leveller. Surprisingly subbed.
SUBS:
Conor Gallagher (on for Trent, 54): 7
Vital clearance on the stretch when Christian Eriksen was lurking and was not afraid to put his foot in.
Ollie Watkins (on for Kane, 70): 6
Played in by Bellingham’s lovely ball after coming on but could not finish from an acute angle.
Jarrod Bowen (on for Foden, 69): 6
Copped a nasty tackle which saw Joakim Maehle booked.
Eberechi Eze (on for Saka, 69): 6
On for his tournament bow though he was rarely involved.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
