England’s crisis continues! The Three Lions topped Group C at this year’s EURO but only scored two goals and won one game. For a team that eyes the first-ever European crown – very poor results. The English fans have got over the defeat against Iceland in the ultimate friendly match before the start of the tournament and a draw against the Danes, but a goalless draw with Slovenia was the last drop! The first to feel the fans’ temper was the gaffer Gareth Southgate, whom they threw plastic cups at.England fans throw empty cups at Gareth Southgate as he applauded them after tonight’s dismal performance against Slovenia. 😒 pic.twitter.com/JeoUGLp3CL— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) June 25, 2024 England manager was asked to comment on the situation at the press conference after the ultimate group stage round.”I understand it. I’m not going to back away from it. The most important thing is we stay with the team. I understand the narrative towards me. That’s better for the team than it being towards them but it is creating an unusual environment to operate in,” stated Southgate.EURO 2024: Terrible England cannot even win against SloveniaHowever, the 53-year-old couldn’t refrain from expressing bewilderment and somewhat shock at the fans’ behaviour, especially since he is one of the most successful Three Lions’ managers. Namely, England have reached the knockout stages of the last five major tournaments – they had never achieved more than two in a row until this run, while Gareth Southgate (four) has now made the knockouts in twice as many tournaments as any other England manager (Hodgson, Eriksson, Robson, Ramsey, Winterbottom all two). Furthermore, England completed a fourth consecutive Euros group stage unbeaten, dating back to a 2-1 defeat by France in Euro 2004. Iceland are the only team to beat England inside 90 minutes at a Euros in the last 20 years.”I’ve not seen any other team qualify and receive similar. I’m not going to back away from it. I recognise when you have moments like at the end of the game, I’m asking the players to be fearless, I’m not going to back down from going to thank our fans at the end of the game. However they feel towards me, I get it, I’ve been around England for 20 years, I’ve seen it. My job is to guide the team through this and get the very best out of the team and keep this perspective for them,” the Englishman said.Kane hits back at TV pundits who called England’s game s**tEven though the fans were nowhere near satisfied, the Three Lions manager still recognised some positive things regarding his team’s performance, stating that they are improving.”We showed composure with the ball, waiting for the opportunity. We dominated the second half. We kept defensive solidity. We didn’t manage to get the goals and of course we would have loved to have sent the fans home happy, but we were definitely an improvement on the last game. We’re improving. I didn’t think that with how everything that happened after the last game that would suddenly be free and liberated and stick four or five goals in. Football doesn’t work that way. But I saw progress. The goals will come, we’ll get there. It’s important to win the group because you control your own destiny,” he asserted.Jude ‘Zero’ Bellingham and Phil ‘one dribble’ FodenFinally, he was asked to comment on the youngsters he subbed in – Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, and Kobbie Mainoo.”Yes, they have impressed. They’re obviously really young players so we’re balancing blooding them in a difficult environment, but they had a really good impact when they came on and used the ball really well. I think the changes we made had a positive effect on the game tonight. Slovenia defended very well, we weren’t able to find the right pass,” Southgate concluded.EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – GROUP STAGETuesday Netherlands – Austria 2-3 (0-1)/Gakpo 47, Depay 75 – Malen 6 (og), Schmid 59, Sabitzer 80/France – Poland 1-1 (0-0)/Mbappe (p) 56 – Lewandowski 79(p)/England – Slovenia 0-0Denmark – Serbia 0-0Wednesday 19.00: (3.30) Slovakia (2.05) Romania (3.85)19.00: (5.60) Ukraine (3.90) Belgium (1.70)22.00: (7.80) Georgia (5.20) Portugal (1.43)22.00: (2.65) Czech R. (3.40) Turkey (2.80)***odds are subject to change***
