England Boss Insists Fans’ Opinion Are “Irrelevant” Amid Calls for Changes vs Slovakia

• Gareth Southgate insists the opinions of fans do not matter ahead of England’s Round of 16 game against Slovakia
• The Three Lions head into the knockout stage as Group C winners but with thoroughly underwhelming performances
• While they have struggled to get goals, Southgate’s side allowed the fewest shots, worth just 1.15 xG in the group stage

England manager Gareth Southgate has resisted calls to make significant changes to his squad ahead of their Round of 16 clash with Slovakia.

Despite winning Group C, the Three Lions’ quest for their first European Championship title has been far from ideal.

Their performances in the group stages have been thoroughly underwhelming, casting doubt on their form as they enter the knockout stage.

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How did England perform in the group stages?

England’s campaign started with a modest 1-0 win against Serbia, sparking hopes of improvement.

However, their performances deteriorated in subsequent games.

An insipid 1-1 draw with Denmark saw the 1966 world champions fortunate to escape with a point after being dominated by the Danes, per Sky Sports.

Their most disappointing showing came against Slovenia, where they struggled to a goalless draw, marking their worst performance of the group stage.

Southgate’s ‘stubborn’ reply to calls for change

Ahead of their last-16 tie with Slovakia on Sunday in Gelsenkirchen, fans and pundits have advised Southgate to make changes to his underperforming side, considering the wealth of talent available.

However, the 54-year-old manager has dismissed these suggestions, stating that fans’ opinions are “irrelevant” in the grand scheme of things.

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“It’s irrelevant [what fans think of me],” he told reporters, as quoted by GOAL.

Despite the mounting pressure, Southgate remains resolute in his approach.

“The most important thing is the support for the team and what I said the other night was to try to make sure that we get the sort of support that the team got in the stadium in the second half, simple as that.

“You’re probably about five per cent off where you’d like to be.

“Therefore you’ve got to be very careful not to throw everything out the window, lose things you’re doing well and lose continuity and the confidence that comes from players playing together and the understanding that comes with that.

Saka responds to calls to play as left-back

Meanwhile, there have been calls for Arsenal star Bukayo Saka to play at left-back, but Saka insists that only Southgate decides the lineup, as reported by Sports Brief.

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England legends Gary Neville and Ian Wright have advocated for Saka to be deployed as a left-back, noting his previous experience in that position to provide the team with the necessary balance.

In response to Wright and Neville’s suggestions, Saka reiterated that the decision lies solely with Southgate.