Just two games into Euro 2024 and the knives are already out for Gareth Southgate's England side despite them being top of Group C and having one foot firmly planted in the knockout stages.
Both matches so far – a 1-0 win over Serbia followed by the 1-1 draw with Denmark – have seen England take an early lead before fading badly with the team dropping too deep, offering little attacking threat and failing to press the opposition as a unit.
The warning signs were flashing before a ball had been kicked in the tournament, though, when England fell to a shock defeat against Iceland at Wembley Stadium in their final warm-up game – a performance Southgate admitted was “far from ideal” but would “really focus the mind” ahead of the finals.
But that focus has never materialised in Germany with criticism coming thick and fast with Southgate and captain Harry Kane in particular being put through the mincer by fans and the media.
The fact England have struggled so badly despite a front four containing Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Kane is seen by some as the inability of a defensively-minded manager to utilise top-level attacking talents.
Southgate has offered various reasons for England's struggles; from suggesting that the players are not fit enough to press the opposition effectively to the more dubious idea that they have not found a “natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips” in midfield.
The experiment of playing Trent Alexander-Arnold alongside Declan Rice has not paid off, while even record-goalscorer Kane was hauled off during the dismal second-half showing against the Danes in Frankfurt, despite putting England into an 18th-minute lead.
Kane, though, insists Southgate remains the right man for job, one that it is looking increasingly likely he will no longer occupy by the end of this summer – barring a huge turnaround in performances and results.
England 1 Serbia 0 – player ratings
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SERBIA RATINGS: A solid showing. No chance with Bellingham's opener. Decisive punch clear from an out-swinging Alexander-Arnold corner. Great reaction save to deny Kane late on. AFP -
Neat, tidy and composed with great physical presence. A solid brick in Serbia's defensive red wall. AP -
Had a running battle with England striker Harry Kane throughout and shaded the contest overall. Particularly strong in their aerial duels. A big component in a very well-drilled back three. AP -
Given a torrid time in the first half by the pace and trickery of Saka but grew into his battle with the England right winger. Good interception to deny Alexander-Arnold. Much more energy and threat going forward in the second period. AP -
Energetic first half, played the high press well. Good cross into the box just after the half-hour. Did well to create space for Lukic to send dangerous cross into the box. Faded as the game wore on and was replaced by Birmancevic. Reuters -
Showed good pace and control to beat Walker and whip an early cross in. Snuffed out a potential Saka break on the wing early on but later struggled to live with the England winger. Went off injured just before the break. Getty Images -
The Al Hilal man played a sweet threaded pass to set Vlahovic clear early in the game and generally linked play well in Serbia's midfield. AP -
Left standing by Bellingham for the opener. Then picked up a yellow card for clattering the England lynchpin. Showed the occasional flash of class with his touches but was hooked at half-time. PA -
Showed plenty of physical presence. Dumped Bellingham on his backside to stop one attack. Wasted a ball into the box just before half time. EPA -
Wasted a chance when he shot straight at Stones with Mitrovic better placed. Great burst of pace and cross into the box early in the second half. Showed what he is capable of with a superb turn and strike that drew a great save from Pickford late in the game. EPA -
Al Hilal's star striker used his nous in his own area to win a free kick against Stones. Perhaps should have done better with sharp chance after 20 minutes. Not his best work. Replaced by Tadic on the hour. AFP -
SERBIA SUBS: (for Kostic, 43'): Brought energy and intent as Serbia stepped up their game in the second half. Brought good pace, sharp turns and a couple of dangerous crosses. AP -
(for Gudelj, 46'): Brilliant tackle to pickpocket Bellingham in the box. Added impetus to the Serbian midfield. Getty Images -
(for Mitrovic, 60'): Couldn't bring Tadic's pass under control when through on goal. AP -
(for Lukic, 60'): The veteran added guile to the midfield. Always probing for weaknesses with his passing. He played a lovely ball to Jovic in the area, which was wasted; Veljko Birmancevic (for Zivkovic. 71'): N/A. Getty Images -
ENGLAND RATINGS: Untroubled in the first half and gave an unfussy performance, keeping risks to a minimum. Produced an unconvincing punched clearance in the second half but then pulled off a brilliant save from Vlahovic to preserve England's lead. Reuters -
His pass found Saka in the build-up to England's goal and he made a surging run into the box in the first half but no-one got on the end of his cross. Unruffled for the most part in his defensive responsibilities. Able to tuck in to form a back three at times. Reuters -
Elegant as ever with his usual silky distribution. After a slightly nervy start his composure on the ball transmitted itself to rookie partner Guehi. Came under pressure more in the second half but helped to get England across the line. AP -
Looked comfortable stepping into Harry Maguire's shoes. He showed a good reading of the game and sound decision-making. Made some well-timed tackles and threaded some nice passes to Bellingham. An impressive showing that will have eased some of the doubts over England's back line. Getty Images -
The right-back stuck to his task on the left manfully. Teed up Foden with a nicely weighted pass early on. Vital block to deny Mitrovic a scoring chance. Didn't generate a great deal of threat with Foden down his flank, however. AFP -
An excellent outing in the holding role. Gave cover to his defence and kept the engine room ticking over. Showed a good understanding with Stones. An unselfish performance, playing simple passes and making vital interceptions. AP -
A mixed bag. Produced a couple of poor deliveries at free kicks and hit some wayward passes when England were under pressure. Great reading of the game to cut out a cross-field ball and launch a lightning England attack for Walker. Lovely ball into the channel for Saka. Powerful strike just before the hour. Needs to learn when to play the Hollywood pass and when to keep it simple. AFP -
Supposedly started on the right wing but was given licence to drift into the centre and even out to the left in a very fluid system. His touch let him down with early chance in the box. Quiet first half and his freedom to roam didn't create much end product on the night. Good ball into the box on 70 minutes. PA -
A masterclass in the first half. He started the move that led to his opening goal as he ghosted into the box with a perfectly timed run and finished with a brave and powerful header. Popped up all over the pitch. Pinging long sweeping passes, clearing the ball in his own box. England's main man at 20. Quieter in the second half but still impressive. AFP -
Brilliant in the first half as Serbia couldn't live with his movement and livewire running. Somehow squeezed a cross in for Bellingham's opener. He was almost unplayable for 45 minutes. Much quieter after the break and was replaced by Bowen. Reuters -
Only touched the ball once in the first half. Stayed patient and kept his position to maintain England's shape as a focal point up front. Looked a little rusty when he did get a couple of touches early in the second half. Started to drop deeper in search of the ball. Showed superb strength to win header that the keeper tipped on to the crossbar. Not his best night at the office. AFP -
ENGLAND SUBS: (for Alexander-Arnold 69'): Brought on to crank up England's midfield energy levels as Serbia grew into the game. Did what was asked of him. EPA -
(for Saka 76'): A brilliant cross for Kane whose header was parried against the bar by the keeper. Looked sharp. Getty Images -
Mainoo (for Bellingham, 86'): No time to show what he can bring to the party. Getty Images
“I can't speak highly enough of Gareth and what he has done for this team and the nation. In terms of where we were and where we are now as a national team it is completely different,” said the striker, who has scored 64 goals in 93 games for his country.
“There are always going to be people who criticise or doubt him but his record speaks for itself – it's really successful with us.
“But like all of us he's determined to take that next step and win it and that's what we are all really determined to do.”
Kane himself has come out swinging against both the suggestion that he is not fully fit to lead the line for England and the criticism he has received from former Three Lions stars now working as TV pundits.
“The games in the tournament I felt as fit as I have all season,” said the 30-year-old who was replaced alongside Saka and Foden with more than 20 minutes of the game remaining against Denmark.
“I know I came off in the second game but that was down to the manager wanting to see something different and freshening up the front players.
“Sometimes in my experience when I've had bad games or games that are not up to the standard, it's always something to look for and find a reason why.”
And as for the withering attacks on him and the rest of his teammates by the likes of Gary Lineker, Rio Ferdinand and Alan Shearer from the TV studio, Kane added: “I always feel like they have a responsibility.
“I would never want to be disrespectful to any player, especially a player who has worn the shirt and knows what it is like to play for England,” said Kane.
Denmark 1 England 1 – player ratings
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DENMARK RATINGS: Former Leicester City keeper did not have much to do in first half bar pick ball out of net after Kane goal. Beaten by Foden shot but saved by post after break and decent stop from Watkins but certainly not overly busy. Getty Images -
Important nudge on Saka early in second half as England man threatened to score but could only send weak header into side netting. Denmark’s back three were excellent against lacklustre England attack. PA -
Sent header from corner looping on to roof of England net shortly after Dane’s first-half leveller. Denmark’s defence certainly did its job with Kane, Foden and Saka all hooked after break. AFP -
Picked up first-half booking for chopping down Saka but was generally impressive against an attacking line-up that has been billed as one of the best in Euro 2024. AP -
Wing-back put in a hard shift up and down the right flank. Had to be on his toes with Foden brighter than his previous match. Booked for foul on England substitute Bowen. EPA -
Hit superb low strike from distance that flew into the net off the post to make it 1-1 with his first international goal coming in memorable fashion. AFP -
Skinned by Foden early on and relieved to see England attacker shoot over. One slapstick, delayed reaction fall when trying to claim penalty. Had two shots comfortably saved and flashed another just wide. Full of energy from start to finish. Getty Images -
Went to sleep on left and caught on ball by Walker whose ball into the box was turned in by Kane in what was pretty much the only defensive error all game from Danes. AFP -
Scorer in opening game against Slovenia but no sight of goal here until he sent long-range effort well over just after hour mark but reliable as ever with his distribution and said after the game he felt Denmark should have won game. AFP -
Saw strike deflected and loop over England bar in opening 45 minutes which was his only attempt on goal. Busy without any standout moment. AFP -
Always full of running, offering an outlet for his teammates but not a single sniff of goal for Manchester United striker who was well marked by Guehi. Reuters -
DENMARK SUBS: Damsgaard (On for Wind 57’) Stung Pickford’s hands with shot from edge of box. AP -
(On for Kristiansen 57’) Wasted opportunity after catching Guehi in position but took too long with England defender able to get back and block cross. PA -
(On for Hojlund 67’) Experienced forward couldn’t help Denmark earn the win their performance deserved. PA -
(On for Eriksen 82’) On for closing stages. Getty Images -
(On for Hjumland 82’) Quickfire booking for foul on Gallagher. AP -
ENGLAND RATINGS: Beaten from distance by Hjulmand’s fantastic strike and survived his goal being peppered with shots from Hojbjerg. EPA -
Went over early on his ankle as the pitch cut up, but crept up on Christensen to snatch posssesion then cross ball for Kane's opener. Speaks well. Blamed "tournament football" for England’s malaise. AFP -
England’s best player, he defended well stopping passes and high balls reaching Hojlund. His error allowed Denmark in for late attack, but he got back well to make a block Bah. AP -
Like Foden, he’s so good for his club yet a shadow of the player for his country as a shattered-looking England followed an opening win with a draw they barely deserved. More touches (81) than any England player. EPA -
Well-timed challenges against early Denmark attacks – and sat deep as England soaked up pressure after taking lead. AP -
First player off after 53 minutes, same as in the first game. It’s not working with him playing in the middle. England were too slow and rather than try to extend their lead, tried to defend it. At a cost. EPA -
Another who has excelled for club this season yet seemed anodyne for his country as England’s midfield was dominated after Denmark equalised. His manager is not getting the best from him. PA -
Subdued. Played as a ‘10’ and involved in setting up the first goal. Difficult for him as he’d win the ball back and have limited options where to pass it in a lethargic England performance. AFP -
Subject of the biggest terrace song of the evening sung by the massive England following, to the tune of Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing in the Dark, he hit the post on 55 as England were desperate for some impetus. Frustrating night for him. PA -
Lively around the hour mark but playing for a team second best to the Danes in almost every area. England’s press didn’t work. Getty Images -
Opened the scoring with his 64th England goal after 18 minutes but little impact on game as had little service. Came deep to get the ball and defend, but he’s a number nine and England needed him higher. Up against three players, but rightly brought off in second half. AFP -
ENGLAND SUBS: Gallagher (On for Alexander-Arnold 54’) Brought on to try and bring energy into midfield. Booked. AP -
(On for Kane 69’) While he only had five touches, he played off the shoulder of defenders and ran behind as England showed an ounce of urgency. Saw shot blocked by keeper with one of those runs. AFP -
(On for Saka 69’) Palace winger brought on to give more options and a cutting edge. Didn’t really happen. AFP -
(On for Foden 69’) One of a triple substitution as England desperately needed freshening up. AP
“[But] the bottom line is we haven't won anything as a nation for a long, long time and a lot of these players were part of that as well and they know how tough it is.”
But despite the problems, Kane insists everyone just needs to take a breath as they go into Tuesday's game at Cologne Stadium aiming to secure top spot in the group.
“It is not a time to panic but a time to improve,” added Kane. “At this early stage it is almost like a boxer in the first couple of rounds seeing where everyone is at and how they feel, or a golfer in a major tournament in the first round – don’t play yourself out of the tournament, be calm.
“Tuesday is important for the feeling of the group, we want to finish top and take the momentum into the knockout stages.”
