Euro 2024: Gareth Southgate frustrated by negativity after England qualify with Slovenia draw, discusses Cole Palmer
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Updated 26/06/2024 at 09:23 GMT
Gareth Southgate spoke about the pressure which he and his players are under after a drab goalless draw with Slovenia in Cologne. The result ensured England topped the group with five points from three games, but the Three Lions boss is baffled by the amount of scrutiny he is receiving, after being booed by sections of the fans.
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Gareth Southgate admits he is managing in "an unusual environment" with England fans growing increasingly frustrated, despite seeing their side qualify and finish top of Group C at Euro 2024.
The manager saw his side reach the last 16 in uninspiring fashion, as they spluttered to a 0-0 draw against Slovenia in Cologne.
Performances have come under scrutiny, as England's high-profile attacking players have failed to fire in Germany so far.
Southgate believes that most of the negativity is being directed at him, rather than the players.
And while he is happy to deflect pressure away from the squad, he feels the level of criticism is unwarranted.
"I understand the narrative towards me and that's better for the team than it being towards them," he said in his post-match press conference.
"But it is creating an unusual environment to operate in. I've not seen any other team qualify and receive similar. I understand it, I'm not going to back away from it, but I'm very proud of the players for how they're operating within it."
The Three Lions boss was largely upbeat in his assessment of the match and was happy with the way in which his side ground out a defensive shut-out.
"I thought we were much improved with the ball," he told ITV Sport. "We've created some good openings. At the moment, it's hard work for us. We're not quite getting that break in front of goal.
"I thought the boys that came on had a really good impact on the game and we've had the discipline to keep a clean sheet, which has meant we end up topping the group.
"So, I understand some reactions, but it's a strange environment we're playing in."
One thing that particularly pleased the manager was the impact of his substitutes. Kobbie Mainoo came on at half-time for Conor Gallagher, who had started in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer were then introduced as the game wore on, and both were involved in England's best move of the night, although the latter ultimately scuffed his shot straight at the goalkeeper.
But Southgate was pleased with the Chelsea forward's display, saying: "He did [bring something different]. [He was] very good.
"He finds space well, he's got lovely techniques, he's calm and you actually really fancied him when he got that chance at the end.
"They're obviously really young players, so we're balancing blooding them in a difficult environment, but they had a really good impact when they came on and they used the ball really well for us.
"So many things are starting to come together. We had a lot of issues coming into the tournament.
"The likes of Marc Guehi and the way the defence have played has been a huge positive and something to build on.
"Today, we looked more dangerous, we had a good impact from our subs. We've just got to now convert our chances."
Finishing first in the group comes with plenty of advantages for England.
Depending on how the rest of the groups finish, it might mean they are paired with the Netherlands in the last 16. However, they will be on the opposite side of the draw to Germany, Spain, France and Portugal.
Southgate, though, insists he is not bothered by that, concluding: "It's irrelevant. We've got to play well, and whoever we play, it's going to be a really tough game.
"We shouldn't be seduced by which half of the draw. We have to take a step at a time. Tonight was an improvement.
"We've got to improve to win in the next round, clearly. But we have topped the group, and that was the objective at the start."
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