John Stones sends telling message to England team-mates after surviving Slovakia scare
John Stones maintained that England must “look at the negatives” of their dramatic comeback victory over Slovakia in the Euro 2024 round of 16 as they prepare for a quarter-final clash with Switzerland.
Gareth Southgate ’s Three Lions looked to be heading towards one of their most humiliating major tournament exits as Ivan Schranz’s first-half strike put Slovakia ahead midway through the first-half. But Jude Bellingham ’s overhead kick deep into stoppage time forced the match to extra-time where Harry Kane supplied the winner shortly after the restart.
The duo’s heroics set up a quarter-final clash with Switzerland in Dusseldorf on Saturday, but England will need to be patently better if they are to progress any further in the tournament. Indeed, Southgate’s side produced a familiarly drab performance, failing to register a shot on target until Bellingham’s stunner.
And defender Stones believes that while the spirit displayed to achieve victory should be heralded, the negatives of the performance must also be considered and rectified.
“What a game, what a way for us to get through,” said Stones. “It was not the way that we wanted to but I think the fight, the desire… that people wanted to see from us at home, from people in the stands – that fight for the shirt, for everyone that’s come out to support us was there and more.
“That’s what’s got us through, we didn’t play the best and that is down to us, which is frustrating,
“But I hope now, coming through such a tough time and doing things, taking risks with the ball, we can implement that now and kind of take the handbrake off in some senses to let our quality show.”
Southgate has been heavily criticised for limiting his team’s quality with his style and selection. Midfield has become a particular point of contention, an area in which Switzerland have thrived thus far in the tournament.
John Stones celebrates the win over Slovakia
Indeed, Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka has impressed as Switzerland have comfortably progressed into the last eight, displaying a tactical acumen and cohesion that England have arguably lacked.
Even so, Stones insists that England have a conviction about them now following their last-gasp triumph over Slovakia.
“I think we’ve got that belief now,” he told beIN Sport. “I think we had it before but we didn’t fully show that and our performances didn’t replicate that belief.
“We’ve got to always look at the negatives and the things that we can improve on because it’s a massive part of the games, massive part of what we do.
“We’re coming up another great side… another great test for us that we’re we’re excited for; I’ve not thought about it too much, to be honest, after the emotions but tomorrow we’ll be preparing as usual, and we’ve got to enjoy this, because it’s been tough, tough for everyone, and I want everyone to enjoy it.”
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