GARY NEVILLE has warned England what awaits them if they do not find their feet at Euro 2024.
The Three Lions limped into the last 16 as group winners despite three poor performances.
And Neville, 49, says they must get their act together or they are in for a rude awakening with the Netherlands potentially lying in wait.
He told Sky Sports: “There’s one fortunate element of our group.
“It has been the poorest group to watch and that has helped us, when we’ve been below par, to get through as group winners.
“What will happen is now is that we’ll rise to the occasion of the knockout phases and playing against a better team will mean there’s more space and our players will naturally just thrive in that sort of environment, or they’ll carry their performances through from the group into the knockout phase and they’ll get the shock of their lives.
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“Because if they carry on playing like they are one thing I can guarantee you they will get beat.”
Harry Kane, Declan Rice and Gareth Southgate have urged the media to be more positive in their coverage.
But Neville thinks the press, fans and squad are singing from the same hymn sheet.
He added: “They know they have to step it up. I actually think what the media are saying, what the players are saying in their interviews and what Gareth is saying are exactly the same things.
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“Declan Rice – before the game I think – said that he was poor against Denmark and the team were poor.
“Gareth admitted that they keep the ball and that they didn’t press well and they didn’t do the defensive part of the game high up the pitch well.
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“Obviously they’re defending well at the back when they go into a sort of shape.
“But I think we’re saying the same things, the fans are seeing the same things, but obviously with a lot more emotion and that’s the difference here.
“What we have to do is get our performance level up a level or two if we’re going to get past a country like Holland.
It was harsh to hook Gallagher at half-time… but Mainoo showed he’s the answer, says Jack Wilshere
KOBBIE MAINOO was always my preference to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in England’s midfield, writes Jack Wilshere.
I think he showed why in the second half against Slovenia.
But I still feel that it was harsh on Conor Gallagher that he was taken off at half time.
Firstly because it was probably our best half of the tournament.
And secondly, because it didn’t feel like a Gareth Southgate thing to do.
It will knock Gallagher’s confidence for sure.
He will have thought that this was his chance, but he only gets a half.
Having said that, despite the disappointing result, the second half was better and Mainoo proved he is the man – or boy – to play there in future.
Read Jack Wilshere’s post-match verdict in full.
Or check out all of Jack’s Euro 2024 columns.
“Because I think if we play like we have been, we’ll struggle and it could be a disappointing ending.
“But we’ve got the capability to step up because those players proved in the second half last night that they are capable of fantastic football and playing far better than they have done.
“There’s another level on the back of that second half last night that’s still to come as well.”
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.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
