{"id":193104,"date":"2024-06-25T12:44:41","date_gmt":"2024-06-25T12:44:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2024\/06\/25\/southgate-oblivious-to-england-criticism\/"},"modified":"2024-06-25T12:44:41","modified_gmt":"2024-06-25T12:44:41","slug":"southgate-oblivious-to-england-criticism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2024\/06\/25\/southgate-oblivious-to-england-criticism\/","title":{"rendered":"Southgate \u2018oblivious\u2019 to England criticism \u2013"},"content":{"rendered":"
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England manager Gareth Southgate says he has learned to block out criticism and that he and his players have been \u201cbrutally honest\u201d about where they need to improve.<\/p>\n
A number of his players were criticised for their performance in their\u00a01-1 draw with Denmark at Euro 2024\u00a0on Thursday, with Southgate\u2019s team selection and tactics also questioned.<\/p>\n
The draw kept the Three Lions top of Group C and subsequent results elsewhere mean they are already guaranteed a place in the last 16 before their final game against Slovenia on Tuesday (20:00 BST).<\/p>\n
Asked about the criticism, Southgate said: \u201cThat\u2019s the world we\u2019re in. I\u2019m oblivious to it, it\u2019s not important to me at all.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s important to me is I guide this group of players through the tournament. We\u2019re a high profile team with expectations and we understand everything we do will be scrutinised. I\u2019m very comfortable with that life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t need to listen to externals because I am my own biggest critic and I think the players are as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know what we have done well, we have been very honest about that. We know where we need to be better, we have been brutally honest about that, and that\u2019s how you coach a team and improve performance.\u201d<\/p>\n
England midfielder Declan Rice said Southgate has had \u201cgreat internal discussions\u201d with a group of senior players.<\/p>\n
\u201cSuch a good thing that Gareth has with the group is that we are so open and honest,\u201d said the 25-year-old.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf something is not right on the pitch we will review it, go over it and be better for it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
Ex-England internationals Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker were among those to criticise the performance against Denmark on the Rest is Football podcast, prompting captain Harry Kane to say former players should\u00a0\u201cremember what it\u2019s like to wear the shirt\u201d\u00a0before commenting.<\/p>\n
In response, Shearer and Lineker\u00a0defended their comments, saying they are always constructive with their criticism and want the England team to do well.<\/p>\n
Southgate, who has been England manager since 2016, said that he may previously have been affected by such comments.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe great thing abut being in this job for a long time is that I have managed to realise how to manage myself in the best way,\u201d said the 53-year-old, who has now managed England at four major tournaments.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo a few years ago I would have read things, would have listened to things and it would have saddened me and taken energy from me.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow I have to cut myself off from it. I can\u2019t put myself in that position because you lose focus.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt gives me great perspective. We are just thinking about how we can improve things. We are composed in what we are trying to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe never duck where we are as a team and we are determined to progress.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018England have an opportunity to shut pundits up\u2019<\/h2>\n
Speaking on\u00a0Euros Extra on BBC iPlayer, former Three Lions captain Shearer said the England players will not be saying anything different about their performances than the pundits.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the England players and the England staff will be the first to admit that they haven\u2019t played well, apart from the first 35 minutes of the first game,\u201d said the 53-year-old.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are there to analyse and our analysis was critical, which is fine, but as a player and as a team you have the chance to have the last word.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think we have said anything different, in reality, to what the players and Gareth have said.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former England defender Micah Richards says pundits are being \u201chonest\u201d rather than \u201cnegative\u201d about England\u2019s tournament so far.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe pointed out that we have top young players playing well for the clubs and we haven\u2019t seen it on an international stage. And we are just highlighting the fact that we know they can do better,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Another former England captain, Wayne Rooney, says the players can respond by securing a positive result against Slovenia.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe players and Gareth have been critical of themselves. They have been very poor, but the great thing is they have the opportunity to put things right,\u201d said the former Everton and Manchester United striker.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to stay calm and they\u2019re all at big clubs. They\u2019ve had that pressure all year round, they have an opportunity to shut pundits up.\u201d<\/p>\n
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