England’s stuttering start to Euro 2024 continued with a disappointing 0-0 draw against Slovenia, leaving a section of their supporters fuming.
This lacklustre performance, coupled with two prior underwhelming displays, resulted in a cascade of empty beer cups hurled in manager Gareth Southgate’s direction, a stark display of fan discontent.
Southgate, a stoic figure amidst the brewing storm, took full responsibility for the team’s struggles.
He acknowledged the criticism directed towards him, viewing it as a shield protecting his players.
“I understand it,”
he conceded to reporters.
“I’m not going to back away from it.”
However, he emphasized the importance of fan unity, pleading,
“The most important thing is the supporters stay with the team.”
Southgate expressed his concern about the “unusual environment” created by the negativity, highlighting the lack of similar treatment towards other qualifying teams.
Despite entering the tournament as favourites, England’s campaign has been far from electrifying.
Their three tepid performances have left fans frustrated, a stark contrast to the team’s initial aim of a dominant group stage display to build momentum for the knockout rounds.
England’s struggles were evident in the Slovenia match, where although they enjoyed a significant advantage in possession (72%) and completed nearly four times the number of passes (694 compared to Slovenia’s 208), they failed to create any real scoring opportunities.
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However, there were some glimmers of hope amidst the gloom.
Both Southgate and captain Harry Kane labelled this performance as England’s best of the tournament so far.
The introduction of substitutes Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, and Anthony Gordon in the second half injected some much-needed energy into the team’s play.
Southgate acknowledged the positive impact of the substitutions, stating,
“I think the changes we made had a positive effect on the game tonight.”
While England couldn’t find the cutting edge in the final third, Southgate maintained a sense of optimism, believing,
“The goals will come.”
Southgate may find solace in drawing parallels to England’s performance at Euro 2020.
Three years ago, they began with a similarly underwhelming 0-0 draw against Scotland but ultimately reached the final.
He cautioned against dwelling on not winning the group, fearing it could lead to a more challenging path in the knockout stages.
On the positive side, England secured a favourable draw, avoiding heavyweights like France, Germany, Spain, and Portugal in the next round.
Southgate acknowledged the importance of maintaining a positive atmosphere within the squad amidst the external criticism.
He highlighted the progress made in recent years, stating,
“We have made England over the last three or four years fun again.”
His primary focus now lies in ensuring this enjoyment translates into success on the pitch, a crucial factor if England is to navigate the challenges that lie ahead.
Southgate’s ability to manage both fan expectations and player morale will be key to determining England’s ultimate fate in Euro 2024.
