FORMER England star Jack Wilshere knows criticism from ex-players and fans could affect players at the World Cup.
But when he was slagged off by ex-pros he took matters into his own hands — and rang them up!
The former Arsenal midfielder said: “I had a few comments from ex-players on TV, once from Jamie Redknapp and then from Paul Scholes, so I called them.
“With Jamie it was when I’d come back from injury, I said, ‘I think you out of everyone should understand, you went through it too’.
“He was very respectful and said he hadn’t really thought about it like that.
“When Paul Scholes had a go at me he was really good when I contacted him, he ended up helping me.
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“You go in the dressing room after a game, players are straight on their phones going through Twitter.
“You can get 2,000 good comments and there can be one negative one, especially if it’s detailed, that can really get into your head. It screws your mind.”
England boss Gareth Southgate will be hoping for nothing but good reviews after their World Cup opener on Monday.
But he goes into the game without Kyle Walker for Monday’s World Cup starter against Iran.
Midfielder Kalvin Phillips is also unlikely to be ready for a starting role.
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Both players could be in contention for the Three Lions’ second game with the USA on Friday November 25.
And the duo will certainly be anxious to be at peak fitness in time for the group finale with Wales the following Tuesday.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
