TWO beer cups were hurled towards Gareth Southgate after the drab draw with Slovenia.
England were held to a stalemate by the Euro minnows but still managed to claim top spot in Group C.
GettyTwo beer cups were allegedly hurled towards Gareth Southgate after the draw with Slovenia[/caption]
The full time whistle was met with jeers by England fansRex
GettyThe Three Lions still topped the group despite the drab draw[/caption]
GettyThe England boss still insists he has a lot to build on[/caption]
EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY
Much had been made about the Three Lions’ first two matches at Euro 2024.
They firstly struggled to a 1-0 win over Serbia before last week’s dour 1-1 draw with Denmark.
But fan frustration boiled over in Cologne as a chorus of boos met the final whistle.
Then various reports from people in the ground say that two cups were spotted being thrown in the direction of the England boss as he applauded supporters at the end.
On beers being chucked at him, he said: “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. I’ve not seen any other team qualify and receive similar. I’m not going to back away from it.”
Despite the underwhelming displays, Southgate’s men now have a potential route to the final that avoids a chunk of their fellow tournament favourites.
All of Spain, Germany, Portugal and France are on the other side of the draw – meaning the Three Lions could only play one of them in the final.
They will now play either Netherlands or a team from Group E, which consists of Romania, Belgium, Slovakia and Ukraine, in the last-16.
Southgate told ITV: “We have got to play well and whoever we play is going to be a really tough game.
“We shouldn’t be seduced by which half of the draw. So many things are starting to come together. We had a lot of issues before the tournament.
“I think the way the defence has played has been a huge positive and something to build on. We created chances but we just have to convert those chances.”
Southgate opted to put Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield for the opening two matches – a decision that attracted huge criticism – but chose Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher for Tuesday’s game.
But fans were convinced that the tactical tweak was not working even before half time but still there was no sign of attackers Cole Palmer or Anthony Gordon.
Eventually, the duo did come on near the end and instantly looked sharper than their team-mates had all game before their arrival.
Southgate said: “He [Palm] did very good. He finds space well and he makes chances and we were backing him to score at the end.
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.
“They are young players and we are blooding them in a difficult environment. They had a good impact for us and did good things for us. Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer, Kobbie Mainoo, it was a really good move.
“We have to build on that. There were a lot of things to build on from tonight.”
Southgate concluded: “I understand the reactions but it is a tough environment.
“We tried to win the game by the changes we made. We put attacking players on the pitch.”
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.