Gareth Southgate understood why fans booed his side after a dismal defeat to Iceland that the England manager hopes will “really focus the mind” heading into Euro 2024.
An expectant Wembley crowd let their frustrations known after an alarmingly poor performance in their last warm-up friendly against a side that will not even be at the finals in Germany.
Southgate’s side were toothless in attack and porous at the back, with Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson’s fine early finish securing Iceland another memorable win against England.
Not our night, but we appreciated your support at Wembley Stadium. Thank you 👏 pic.twitter.com/5U8yoAFFMh
— England (@England) June 7, 2024
In 2016 that shock result ended their European Championship hopes, whereas the manager hopes Friday’s 1-0 loss can act as a catalyst to continental glory.
“You’d like a good performance, a crowd that’s been entertained and to be leaving on a high,” Southgate said after the send-off friendly. “Clearly the performance wasn’t at the level it needed to be.
“I think there are some very clear reasons for that, and it actually gives us a chance to really focus the mind because these last games going into tournaments can be a little bit scrappy like that in terms of focus, because players are worried about picking up an injury.
“The most disappointing part tonight was out of possession, we didn’t press well. We were too stretched.
“We’ve actually in the last two or three games, in particular, been excellent at that, so that’s the bit that we’ve really got to rectify.
“With the ball we could have been better, but we still created some very, very good chances.
“I think the players, or a lot of the players, needed the minutes – players that have been coming back from injury, players that have played a lot but have had a week’s break and are out of that rhythm.
Not how we wanted to sign off for the Euros but loads to learn from and we’ll get stronger! Get behind the lads and we’ll see you in Germany 🦁🦁🦁 pic.twitter.com/713EgdD4gc
— Harry Kane (@HKane) June 7, 2024
“Of course, at the end, where you ideally want the experience on the pitch to keep the calm and work your way back into the game, we were needing to take those players off to look after them.
“Look, a far from ideal night. I’m not going to dress up the disappointment about the performance.
“But, equally, we have to stay calm because we know what needs to be put right and we’ll work on that between now and the game with Serbia.”
Friday’s friendly was supposed help build a feel-good factor heading into Euros, with the Group C opener against Serbia looming large on June 16.
Instead, it ended with bored fans aiming paper planes at the pitch and those left inside Wembley at the final whistle booing.
“I completely understand,” Southgate said of the supporters’ reaction. “We didn’t play well enough to keep them excited within the game.
“As I said, we had some very, very good chances that normally would be finished, which could have given a different complexion to the game, and, of course, would have affected the confidence of the opponent.
“But that might also have masked some flaws that were apparent tonight.
“From my perspective, I’ve learned a lot from the game, but no qualms with the supporters’ reaction.
“To have the fans with you here obviously makes a massive difference, but you have to give them enough goalmouth action, you have to play well enough, press and win the ball with intensity to keep them with you during the game.
“Tonight we didn’t do that, so we have to accept the reaction as it was.”
But as poor as the night was for England, they at least appear to have avoided new injury issues.
John Stones went down awkwardly in the opening minute and was withdrawn at half-time, with fellow centre-back Marc Guehi playing on despite taking a blow to the head in the second half.
Southgate said: “Marc, fine, I think. John, we decided at half-time, no point in taking any chances, because we’re obviously so close to the to the tournament, and he’s a very important player for us.”
[(Valencia CF) Strength]: 1. Valencia CF haven't grabbed their first league win in the new season so far. The team are eager to secure a victory as soon as possible to boost morale and demonstrate strong determination.2. Valencia CF grabbed 5 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss in the last 9 home games, with an unbeaten rate up to 88.89%, showing good form at home.3. Valencia CF kept unbeaten in the last 3 e...
[(Hertha BSC Berlin) Strength]: 1. Hertha BSC Berlin are undoubtedly motivated to secure their first win of the season in this home game.2. Hertha BSC Berlin boast outstanding home strength, as their last home loss was in early March.[(Hertha BSC Berlin) Weakness]: 1. Hertha BSC Berlin drew 0-0 with SV Darmstadt 98 in the last away game. They failed to win in the last 4 competitive games in regula...
[(PAOK FC) Strength]: 1. PAOK FC lost in the first leg and failed to gain the upper hand in advancing. They will surely go all out in this game and strive to turn the situation around.2. PAOK FC recently won 1-0 at home against AEL Larisa in the Greece Super League 1, securing their first league victory.3. PAOK FC lost 0-1 away to NK Rijeka in the first leg. The team have a ball possession of 48% ...
[(KuPS) Strength]: 1. KuPS suffered a defeat in the first leg of the tie and missed the opportunity to gain an early advantage in the qualification race. They are certain to give their all in this game as they strive to secure progression to the next round.2. KuPS defeated Jaro 3-1 on away field in the last Veikkausliiga game. They won 6 of the last 7 games among all events with good performances....
[(Elche CF) Strength]: 1. Elche CF signed striker Rafael Mir on loan from Sevilla FC in the middle of the month. In his debut in the last game, he helped the team score a goal and his performance was commendable.2. Elche CF drew 1-1 with strong Atletico Madrid in their last away game. The first two matches of the new season both ended in draws, but considering that the opponents were all strong, s...
[(RC Lens) Strength]: 1. RC Lens have recorded 1 win and 1 loss in the current league season, scoring 2 goals and conceding 2 across two games, placing them 10th in the league table. The team will play at home in this fixture with strong determination.2. RC Lens' veteran center-back Jonathan Gradit has delivered a solid performance in the opening league games, anchoring the defense with crucial in...
[(Union de Santa Fe) Strength]: 1. In this match, both teams will strive for victory to advance to the quarter-final of the tournament. There is no doubt about their fighting spirit.2. In the most recent domestic league match, Estigarribia performed outstandingly, scoring the equalizing goal and helping his team draw with CA Huracan.3. Union de Santa Fe drew 1-1 with Atletico Rafaela in their last...
[(FC Groningen) Strength]: 1. Brynjolfur Willumsson scored 3 goals for FC Groningen in the new Eredivisie season. He is currently the top scorer in the team.2. Stije Resink provided 2 assists for FC Groningen in the new Eredivisie season, making him the team's top assist provider so far.3. FC Groningen kept unbeaten in the last two Eredivisie encounters with 1 win and 1 draw, being at a mental adv...
[(FC Oss) Strength]: 1. Mart Remans scored a goal in the last game, and his performance is still worthy of praise.2. FC Oss have performed well at home recently, winning 4-0. The team's recent home performance is still acceptable.[(FC Oss) Weakness]: 1. FC Oss lost 2-5 to FC Den Bosch in the last game and suffered two consecutive defeats, with poor form.2. FC Oss have performed poorly in defense, ...
Go to the Live Scores page.[(Hamburger) Strength]: 1. After returning to the Bundesliga following a seven-year absence, Hamburger secured their first point back with a 0-0 away draw against Borussia Monchengladbach in the opening round of the new season. Now, as they return to their home ground to face local rivals St. Pauli, the team are highly motivated and aim to secure their first victory of t...
- 1 Lamine Yamal goes public with rapper girlfriend
- 2 Ruben Amorim gives cryptic response when asked about Andre Onana returning to starting XI for Fulham clash after Altay Bayindir blunder handed Arsenal victory
- 3 'Victory Bodes Well for Future' – Gasperini Delighted with Roma’s Opening Day Win
- 4 TIPS - Eintracht Frankfurt VS Werder Bremen
- 5 Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal could turn to Lyon's Fofana
- 6 Antony’s Man United Exit Hopes Rest on Fresh Real Betis Bid Within 'Next 24 Hours'
- 7 TIPS - Gamba Osaka VS Yokohama FC
- 8 TIPS - Schalke 04 VS VfL Bochum
- 9 TIPS - Sunderland A.F.C. VS Huddersfield Town A.F.C.
- 10 TIPS - Olympique de Marseille VS Paris FC