Inside what the England squad are actually pondering

Sometimes, a fresh pair of eyes or a new voice can work wonders. You’d forgive England manager Gareth Southgate for thinking long and hard about that after what, so far, has been a tournament drenched in hostility.

But, more pertinently, it would be understandable if players were harbouring similar thoughts.

As England retreated to their Weimar base during the early hours of Wednesday morning with the boos of their own supporters still ringing in their ears, you wondered if those who are experiencing major tournament football for the first time were pondering why they are getting so much criticism.

There are those in the squad who have ridden the highs of Southgate’s reign — Harry Kane, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Jordan Pickford among the ever-presents in Southgate’s eight-year tenure. He has won those players over.

Southgate has already built, in relative terms, one successful side. It’s part of the reason the FA will effectively let the 53-year-old decide his own future after the tournament. But the question that needs answering in the coming days is this: is building a second team beyond him?

Because here’s the problem: winning over elite footballers isn’t easily achievable — particularly when players know you’re already on borrowed time with the fanbase.

And much of the negativity being directed at England originates from those who think Southgate isn’t the right man to lead this new Golden Generation. Southgate believes the current angst towards the team stems from ill-feeling towards him.

Some managers earn instant respect from players thanks to their own playing careers. But others aren’t so lucky. That’s half the battle for international managers. If you can persuade your squad to buy into what you’re selling, you’re on to a winner.

Kane, Walker, Pickford, Trippier, Jordan Henderson, Harry Maguire and Raheem Sterling believe in Southgate. They witnessed for themselves the tangible benefits of Southgate’s methods. Finishing fourth in the World Cup and as runners-up in the European Championship is not to be sniffed at, particularly when you’ve spent years as international football’s laughing stock.

But this is a new team, with young and vibrant footballers. Can Southgate take them on the same journey? If not, then this is surely the beginning of the end.

The more recent additions to the squad have watched England’s progress under Southgate from afar and will want to be a part of that themselves.

‘Players have loved playing for England the last six or seven years, we’ve got to keep that — we have to keep that. If we don’t, then…’ Southgate explained, somewhat cryptically. Was he suggesting some players are not loving it at the moment?

The younger players will also have seen the burgeoning fury from England’s supporters towards Southgate. No matter how loyal they may be to their international boss, the ire towards Southgate will not have gone unnoticed and will do nothing to support his authority.

So what can he do to make them believe? Well, winning on Sunday would be the best place to start. But, equally, allowing this squad brimming with attacking flair off the leash may go some way towards convincing those lacking inspiration to get behind him.

Because if England’s conservative approach to games so far has become a source of frustration for certain squad members then you wouldn’t blame them.

It was telling earlier this week that news of a heart-to-heart discussion between England’s players and coaching staff led to what we were told would be a front-foot England against Slovenia.

An England that would press higher up the pitch, one that would play to the strengths of the forward players.

They stayed true to their word in glimpses, but — largely — this wasn’t the sort of set-up that would have convinced any insurgents that Southgate is the man to bring this set of exceptionally gifted players to their full potential.

England have played with the handbrake on here in Germany. There are those within the squad who believe the team would be better off going full throttle.

If they are going to go down here at Euro 2024, then surely they should do so swinging.

In the next few days Southgate and his assistant Steve Holland will assemble their game plan for Sunday’s last-16 clash. After three insipid performances, all eyes will be on England’s approach this weekend. They’ve topped the group with caution. Can they storm the knockout rounds with swagger?

At this juncture, it is relevant to point out that Holland worked so successfully under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. The Special One remains one of the most revered figures in the club’s history but his successes were built on a pragmatic style.

Southgate is the head coach, but do not underestimate Holland’s influence on how England set up. With that in mind, it’s hard to argue that the way England have started the tournament has more than just a hint of the Mourinho about it.

‘We kept making good decisions with the ball against a team (Slovenia) that don’t give many goals away,’ Southgate said. ‘I know people will want more, I completely understand that. We’ve achieved our second objective which was to win the group. We know there’s more to come. It was a step in the right direction.

‘I think we improved. We definitely used the ball better. I was very proud that the players kept their composure. Given where things have been at for the last week or so, it would be easy when you’re 0-0 to rush things.

‘But we totally controlled the game in the second half. Super impact from the boys that came on. We weren’t able to get that finishing moment, but super proud of how they’re handling quite a unique environment. We’ve topped the group so in the end we control our destiny.’

Southgate is prepared to carry the hatred on his own shoulders, no matter how heavy a burden that may be.

‘One hundred per cent I would rather the criticism be directed at me. I have to keep the players on track. On the day of the (Slovenia) game I showed them pictures of Italy celebrating their qualification with their fans, of Hungary celebrating when they didn’t even know if they were through.

‘Denmark celebrating a draw against us and they were on two points. Our world is different at the moment and I feel that is probably because of me. I have to help the players as much as I possibly can.

‘I’m not going to hide from it. I’ve got to show my players the fearlessness we are asking of them on the pitch. We are playing for big stakes, we are trying to do something that has never been done before and so we need a mentality that we are prepared to walk towards those challenges.’

It is highly unlikely, however, that the ‘Southgate Out Brigade’ will view a goalless draw against a side ranked 57th in FIFA’s rankings as reason for optimism.

Indeed, you can’t escape the impression Southgate knows he’s entering the end game. But who knows, as unrealistic as it appears, Southgate could be open to one last hurrah at World Cup 2026 in the USA if he can somehow lead England to their first trophy since 1966 in Berlin on July 14.

But even then, Southgate is intelligent enough to realise that he is only ever one defeat away from a crisis. One defeat away from having plastic cups dashed at him from the same fans who once called him ‘The One’.

That’s never a good place to be. That’s not a good place for the players to be, either.

‘The fans were brilliant with the team in the second half (against Slovenia). Absolutely brilliant. That’s so important,’ he said. ‘Whatever the feeling is towards me, you’ve got to get behind the team, and that’s crucial.

‘I don’t know if I have (taken more on my shoulders) to be honest but I am comfortable with it. My job is to lead the players. We have things to build on.’

Despite the unrelenting backlash towards his management, Southgate has rarely made a bad decision during his reign as England boss. We should all trust him to do the same later this summer regarding his future.