FANS have hailed Anthony Gordon for his “refreshingly raw” interview following England’s bore draw with Slovenia.
England again struggled to create chances as they drew 0-0 in Cologne.
The draw saw England top the group despite their lacklustre performances and will ensure they play a third-placed group team in the round of 16.
Gordon came on as an 89th minute substitute as England looked to find a late winner.
Despite a few runs down the left wing, he did not have enough time on the pitch to affect the game.
Speaking to the BBC afterwards, Gordon said: “It’s frustrating because I want to play. I think every player here does. It’s difficult because you’ve got so many good players.
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“But watching from the sideline at any game, at any level, is hard. You just want to come on the pitch because you feel you can make an impact.
“I felt I did when I came on. I tried to get at people and be direct and cause problems in the few minutes I got. And I’ll always try and do that.”
He also went on to say that the team as a whole is not “clicking”.
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The Newcastle winger said: “I think our aim was was to make a statement and sort of correct the performance we’ve had in the past two games. I still think we’re in that place. I think we’ve still got to do better,” he said.
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“I just think we can do so much better. That’s the problem. We’ve got such good players. In training, we’re so good every day. We do everything right. And then it’s just not clicking. Hopefully in the coming games it will because we need to start really attacking teams and dominating games.
England player ratings: Southgate’s Gallagher experiment fails miserably vs Slovenia
ENGLAND served up another underwhelming performance – but still managed to top Group C.
England dominated the ball, but Southgate will have plenty of questions to answer after a third straight display that lacked inspiration.
SunSport’s Tom Barclay has given his ratings of the England players.
Jordan Pickford – 6
Largely a spectator due to England’s dominance on the ball. Asked the touchline what the Denmark score was during one break in the second half.
Kieran Trippier – 6
The one positive of having a right-footed player playing left-back is that he can dispatch in-swinging crosses, and one such one should have been headed home by Conor Gallagher before the break.
Marc Guehi – 7
Cruyff turn early doors showed his confidence from excellent displays against Serbia and Denmark, and barring one loose pass was good again.
John Stones – 6
One of many to miss his target with his passing. He wasn’t bad but, like others, way off what he has produced for his club.
Kyle Walker – 5
Played so safe, rarely looked to get forward. Was lucky at one point that Pickford was alive to his blast of a pass-back. Sliced cross after break summed up his off-night.
Conor Gallagher – 4
Got the nod after the Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment ended, but was poor, particularly, in possession and replaced at half-time by Kobbie Mainoo.
Declan Rice – 7
Had promised an “in your face” performance from his team, but he was really the only one to produce it. Very good out of possession, much better than against Denmark.
Phil Foden – 7
Liveliest of England’s attacking four by a mile and went close with a stinging free-kick. Booked for dissent, summing up England’s frustration.
Jude Bellingham – 5
Cut a very frustrated figure as he and Harry Kane got in each other’s way at times, while he was often shunted wide left as Phil Foden moved into the middle.
Bukayo Saka – 6
Tapped home on 20 minutes, but it was ruled out for offside in the build-up. OK but once again subbed after the break, perhaps due to fitness concerns.
Harry Kane – 6
Insists he is 100 per cent fit and maybe he is. What is 100 per cent certain is that he has been nowhere near as effective in this tournament as he usually is for England, albeit he was marginally better here.
Substitutes
Kobbie Mainoo (for Gallagher at half-time) – 7
Made a difference when coming on, making England much more positive in their play. So much more confident with his touch than Gallagher.
Cole Palmer (for Bukayo Saka on 71) – 7
Finally made an appearance at this tournament and one clever ball through for Mainoo showed what he can do.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Kieran Trippier on 84) – 6
Came on for the final few minutes at right-back, with Walker going to left-back.
Anthony Gordon (for Phil Foden on 88) – 6
Like Palmer, first minutes at the Euros, but too late to make an impact.
“I don’t think it’s nerves,” he added. “I mean, we’ve all played on big stages for a while. So I don’t think nerves is the best thing to put it down to. I just think as football is like that sometimes.
“I think we’re controlling games really well, we keep the ball well, but that direct approach, causing problems and going for teams is probably what we’re missing.
“And you see towards the end of the game [against Slovenia], we created a really good chance just from going for it and not worrying about losing the ball.”
Fans on social media loved the honesty of the interview, with one saying: “Very refreshing interview saying it as it is.”
Another said: “First player in the England camp to talk some sense, Anthony Gordon.”
A third wrote: “Refreshingly honest & accurate answers from Gordon. Like us, he’s been watching it, can see where the problems are. Knows what is needed, can be one of the players who brings it.”
A fourth said: “You know what, they’ve sent a young lad who’s played 5 minutes all tournament to do an interview and he’s been the most honest and correct one.”
England need superhero Bellingham back to have any chance of winning Euro 2024
JUDE BELLINGHAM delivered a masterful, super-hero performance in the opening 45 minutes at Euro 2024, writes Charlie Wyett.
Yet we have not seen much from the boy wonder since.
Maybe he left his cloak in the dressing room at Gelsenkirchen and is still looking for it.
But he needs to discover in time for the last 16 tie this weekend otherwise England are knackered.
Approaching the serious part of Euro 2024, this team really does need to get a grip and start showing some personality.
At times against Slovenia, Bellingham just looked lost.
Let’s hope he can sprinkle some stardust in the knockout stages because Gareth Southgate certainly needs something.
Bellingham should come good. This could still be HIS tournament.
Read Charlie Wyett’s England vs Slovenia verdict in full.
Or check out all of Charlie’s Euro 2024 stories.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
