Euro 2024: Gareth Southgate ‘oblivious’ to England criticism

Speaking on Euros 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.

“I think the England players and the England staff will be the first to admit that they haven’t played well, apart from the first 35 minutes of the first game,” said the 53-year-old.

“We 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.

“I don’t think we have said anything different, in reality, to what the players and Gareth have said.”

Former England defender Micah Richards says pundits are being “honest” rather than “negative” about England’s tournament so far.

“We pointed out that we have top young players playing well for the clubs and we haven’t seen it on an international stage. And we are just highlighting the fact that we know they can do better,” he said.

Another former England captain, Wayne Rooney, says the players can respond by securing a positive result against Slovenia.

“The 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,” said the former Everton and Manchester United striker.

“You have to stay calm and they’re all at big clubs. They’ve had that pressure all year round, they have an opportunity to shut pundits up.”