Roy Keane doesn't hold back in brutal blast at England - 'Living in cuckoo land'
Roy Keane admits anyone who believes England can solve their tactical issues before the Euros are over is "living in cuckoo land".
The Three Lions have been incredibly poor throughout the tournament despite arriving in Germany as one of the favourites. Gareth Southgate 's talented squad have massively underwhelmed as they struggled to click, especially in attack.
Despite taking on opponents they were expected to beat convincingly - the likes of Serbia, Slovenia and Slovakia - England have made hard work of games, dropping points and needing extra-time to see off their last-16 opponents after an abject display with Southgate doing little to address the issues.
There are increasing calls for the Three Lions boss to make major changes to his starting XI, having largely stuck by the same players thus far. Many have criticised the balance of this England side, but Keane struggles to see that changing.
The Irishman said: "If you think Gareth and his staff are going to fix that in the next two weeks you're living in cuckoo land. Move onto the next game. They've got some momentum. Football's about winning at the top level."
He also added: "It's embarrassing at the moment but that's what happens sometimes. It's about surviving, it's about staying in the competition. They're staying in the fight. England keep swinging. After yesterday [Sunday] I wouldn't be writing England off, far from it."
Keane admitted after England's extra-time win over Slovakia that winning games, not producing stellar performances, is all that matters when it comes to winning tournament football. The Three Lions do have a favourable route to the final with Switzerland their next opponents.
Roy Keane said he's not writing England off yet
Southgate was keen to remind those watching and criticising his team that successful tournaments of the past, citing Euro 96, haven't been blessed with quality displays, suggesting England were lucky in several games. Instead he believes the atmosphere within the group could be the difference maker.
He said: "Everybody now, 30 years on, looks back at ’96 in a different way to how it was at the time. We were bang average against Switzerland, we were the same against Scotland. Scotland missed a penalty at 1-0. Spain should have beaten us in a 0-0 draw. In 1990 it was similar so you do go through these moments in tournaments.
The England boss has struggled to find an effective formula at the Euros
"There’s no question this [win] will give the whole group belief. We know we should be better than we’ve been but we’ve ended up with a lot of young players in important positions and trying to solve problems right the way through the four weeks of the camp.
"But the stand-out is the way the players are dealing with it. Their togetherness, their spirit. You could see the boys that went on but also the boys that came off and the way that they were up and supporting the group. So that is giving us a chance.”
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