STEVE McCLAREN reckons the fear factor has returned to haunt England.
The Three Lions have struggled to deal with the pressure of expectations at previous tournaments.
And following the 0-0 flop against Scotland on Friday, former England boss McClaren says the old problem has returned.
England were embarrassed by Iceland at the last Euros in 2016.
They were hugely disappointing at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, too – crashing out in the last-16 and group stage respectively.
And former England boss McClaren, who failed to get the Three Lions to the Euros in 2008, believes the fear factor has returned.
McClaren said: “England played with fear. They didn’t want to make mistakes.
“They were playing safe, square, backwards. They weren’t aggressive enough.
“We were passive for the whole 95 minutes.”
Former England defender Gary Neville believes the much hyped-up ‘Battle of Britain’ may have had a negative impact.
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Neville said: “Is it too big for them in terms of expectation?
“Sometimes it can just mentally take it out of you.
“That was such a lacklustre display in such a big game.”
Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand slammed Southgate for failing to play Jadon Sancho at all this tournament.
And Ian Wright claimed he was ’embarrassed’ by the Scotland draw – also calling for Sancho’s Euro 2020 introduction.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
