England seek spark against Slovakia to take advantage of soft draw

GELSENKIRCHEN – The most important thing is that the supporters stay with the team – those were England manager Gareth Southgate’s exact words after the group stage of Euro 2024.

However, patience is running out fast, as pressure on the Three Lions to deliver – following three lacklustre performances – has only risen after landing in the soft side of the draw.

Southgate’s men begin what they hope will be a road to Berlin for the final on July 14 in their last-16 clash against Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen on June 30.

A rematch of the Euro 2020 final with Italy or Switzerland would then await in the quarter-finals, while Austria, Turkey, the Netherlands or Romania are potential semi-final opponents.

And with powerhouses Germany, France, Spain and Portugal all on the other side of the draw, the expectations have intensified on a richly-talented squad to finally start performing as a team.

“If people are being negative, it’s only because they expect a lot from you, which is a positive thing,” said winger Anthony Gordon, who could be one of the changes Southgate turns to.

“If we want that to stop, we just need to perform and give people what they want to see.”

Despite topping Group C, England have managed only two goals in their opening three games.

The quartet of Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane combined for 114 goals in club football in the 2023-24 campaign.

But together they have been a disjointed attacking unit that Southgate is under huge pressure to shake up.

Foden has rejoined the squad after flying back home to attend the birth of his third child.

However, his lack of time on the training field this week may mean the Premier League’s Player of the Year is the fall guy to try and balance the attack.

England’s lack of width on the left has been exposed by Southgate having no natural left-back available due to Luke Shaw’s injury and Foden’s tendency to drift inside.

Gordon looks set to be handed his chance despite having just a few minutes’ action in the tournament so far.

“My main strength is that I’m very direct. I’m obviously quick, so I’m a nightmare for anyone I play against,” he said on June 28 to push his case for a first competitive England start.

“I’m not a very safe player, I’m always going for it, I’m always trying to put people on the back foot. I think with the players we’ve got, the likes of H (Kane), who likes to drop deep, I think I add a different element to the team.”

Kobbie Mainoo is expected to start in midfield after the 19-year-old made an impressive impact in his second half appearance against Slovenia.

Southgate also faces a clamour to unleash Cole Palmer.

The Chelsea playmaker, who scored 26 goals at club level last season, caught the eye in his late cameo against Slovenia and had England’s only shot on target of the second half.

So far, Southgate has remained steadfast and stubborn in his team selection, making only one change to his starting line-up as Conor Gallagher replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield for the third match.

But a similar approach on June 30 would risk further antagonising a fan base that threw beer cups at their coach after the Slovenia stalemate.

Slovakia would have noticed all these and are not afraid.

Captain Milan Skriniar has said that England’s reliance on individual talent and the pressure they will be under to win will provide his team with an opportunity for a major upset.

The centre-back believes that while the Three Lions may have better individuals, they are not playing as a team and Slovakia can counter them with their work as a collective.

“In my opinion, they rely on individual quality and they know that they have players who can decide matches for them,” he said. “That’s why I think we can handle them through teamwork.” AFP, REUTERS