Gareth Southgate accepted responsibility for England’s 1-1 draw with Denmark but suggested his players must be better prepared to cope with the weight of expectations on their shoulders at Euro 2024.
Southgate found himself unable to paint a positive picture after a disappointing night at the Eintracht Frankfurt Arena after his side were booed after a poor performance in their second game of the World Cup. .
England took the lead through Harry Kane’s early goal but were below their usual level before being surprisingly substituted in the second half, but luckily they escaped with a point advantage, Putting them on track to win Group C.
Southgate, who also regressed in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Serbia, felt his players were not pressing well enough and admitted he needs to find solutions ahead of next Tuesday’s game against Slovenia.
“We are disappointed with the performance in both games so we have to analyze it deeply and find some solutions to the problems we have,” the England manager said. “We know the level has to be higher. Maybe most importantly We have to accept the circumstances we find ourselves in and our expectations of them.
“We have to rise to this challenge. At the moment we are a little short. Ultimately it is my responsibility. I am the head coach and I have to guide this team in the best possible way. In order to achieve extraordinary results you have to go through some difficult moments. .
Southgate, who described the performance as anxiety-inducing and criticized the poor pass that led to Morten Houmand’s equalizer, was asked about the jeers from England fans towards the end and throughout the game.
“We’re in an environment where we’re trying to win on the biggest stage possible, and if I’m not at the level we need to be, then we have to accept whatever comes our way,” he said. “We have to find the best way to solve this problem. Of course we need fans. But I have to say they are outstanding. What I want to say is that these children are not lacking in effort now. It is not that they are not trying. If there is any If anything, we care too much.
After the game, Prince William walked into the England dressing room to talk to the players.
England brought many inexperienced players to Germany and Southgate believes some are struggling to cope with the pressure of international football. “We’re in an environment where we have to deliver results,” he said. “We have to meet this challenge. I intend to go towards it, no matter what the reaction is. I will not avoid asking the fans for help at the end of the game. We face it head-on.
Southgate admitted England lacked balance, with right-footer Kieran Trippier replacing Luke Shaw at left-back. He said that while he defended Trent Alexander-Arnold’s performance, he has yet to find a midfield replacement for Kalvin Phillips. Alexander-Arnold, who returned to the starting lineup in midfield, was the first English player to be substituted.
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“One of our biggest issues was we didn’t press well enough as a team, so he had a lot of things to sort out and most of them he did well,” Southgate said. “We are paying attention to the performance of the team, but the team did not perform today and that is my responsibility.”
It was hoped England’s defeat to Iceland in their final warm-up match would serve as a wake-up call. Southgate refuses to blame pitch conditions for his team’s sluggishness and faces a difficult task in convincing his players they can become European champions for the first time.
“The challenge is to do something that has never been done before, so it can’t be any bigger,” he said. “We know we have a lot of problems, but where we are now, we have to find the best path forward.”
Southgate was asked about Kane’s fitness after returning from a back injury. The captain was replaced in the second half when England were chasing the ball. “He’s only played one 90-minute game in the last five or six weeks and it’s taken a lot of effort out of him,” Southgate said.
