‘I don’t want to be a part of it’ says Joe Hart as ex-England goalkeeper makes passionate defence of Three Lions stars
JOE HART has jumped to the defence of Gareth Southgate and his England squad following Thursday’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Denmark.
The Three Lions were held to a drab draw by the Danes after Harry Kane‘s opening goal was cancelled out by Morten Hjulmand.
England fans slammed the performance at full-time, with some even joking that Southgate used “Sunday league” tactics.
However, ex-England goalkeeper Hart has blamed a lack of “common sense” for the response.
The 37-year-old also insisted he “does not want to be a part of” the negative conversations surrounding the team.
Speaking as a pundit live on BBC One, Hart said: “I think common sense goes out of the window when it comes to England at tournaments.
“I’ve been a child supporting England and every single emotion running through your body.
“I’ve been a player where you have to remove yourself from it and try and see what’s exactly in front of you and try to look at it from a point of view like Kyle [Walker] tried to last night.
“Everyone accepted that it wasn’t ideal but being this side of it now you do feel that people can’t wait to point out why England are going to lose.
“I don’t want to be a part of it, personally, I’m going to see the positives.”
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Asked about his experience dealing with criticism from inside the England camp, he continued: “You hear it, you definitely hear it.
“But you’re not here to be emotional. You’re here to do a job, you’re here to work hard.
“These guys are top of the game professionals who’ve heard it all. They’ve had every pat on the back and they’ve been slaughtered for things correctly, sometimes they don’t deserve it but they don’t care.
“They’re there to do business, they’re there to focus, they’re there to get the best out of each other and they want to win this tournament.
“They’re going to do everything they can, no matter whether the people are with them or against them.”
A draw against Denmark was enough to see England remain at the top of Group C.
However, the Three Lions will need a win against Slovenia on Tuesday to go through as group winners.
Pundits and legends lay into England
ENGLAND's lifeless display in the 1-1 draw with Denmark left pundits and legends queuing up to take a dig at Gareth Southgate's team.
Here’s the best of what was said…
ALAN SHEARER
“Awful performance, particularly after going up in the game.
“I don’t think one England player can look at themselves and say, ‘I’ve done my job tonight’.
“England were all over the place, far too sloppy in possession, gave the ball away too much and got caught too many times.
“There was no energy, no pace, no guile — Southgate is simply not getting the best out of England’s best players.
“It’s concerning and Gareth will get some serious questions.
“You saw England players lying on their backs — they look absolutely shattered but there’s no excuse for that.”
GARY LINEKER
The BBC host called the performance “lifeless and tepid”.
On Harry Kane he said: “He needs his manager to ask more of him. I would have expected that if I’d put in that kind of performance.”
RIO FERDINAND
“The players don’t look the same as they do for their clubs. It is a big concern.”
ROY KEANE
“Courage and bravery, we’re not really seeing it.
“There’s something amiss with the balance. Bellingham is waving his arms.
“This is a big test for Gareth. It looks like he’s overthinking things.”
JAMIE CARRAGHER
“My big worry watching this and for the rest of the tournament?
“England look absolutely knackered. They can’t get close to the ball.
“The surest sign of fatigue is dropping deep.
“Declan Rice is having to cover so much ground. No-one can convince me this is a strategy.”
JACK WILSHERE
“It’s strange that we have taken the lead in both games so far, yet instead of it settling us down and giving us the confidence to play, we have failed to take control.
“But what was most worrying was that Denmark had a clear way of playing — while we didn’t.”
ENGLAND vs DENMARK RATINGS
ENGLAND stumbled to a drab 1-1 draw with Denmark.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated the Three Lions team.
Jordan Pickford: 6
Looked a little jittery early doors, though there was nothing he could do about Morten Hjulmand’s corker and he made a decent parry after the break.
Kyle Walker: 7
Made England’s opener by racing round a sleeping Victor Kristiansen – he’ll be having nightmares of that forevermore – and teeing up Kane via a deflected cross.
John Stones: 6
OK but you have got to wonder how fit he feels having barely played for Man City in the second half of the season, plus his injury and illness issues over the last month.
Marc Guehi: 8 and my star man
Really encouraging again from the Crystal Palace centre-back, looking sharp with his interceptions and assured in distribution.
Kieran Trippier: 6
Like Stones, he was fine, but England really need Luke Shaw back ASAP because having no natural left-footer at left-back is a problem.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 5
This experiment of playing Trent in midfield is far from convincing, especially when his passing was off it like it was here, barring one good ball to Saka. Subbed on 54 minutes.
Declan Rice: 5
Had to cover so much ground as England dropped worryingly deep in the first half and also lost it a few times in front of his back four.
Bukayo Saka: 7
Not quite as electric as his first half against Serbia, but another solid showing from our right winger who has been our most consistent attacker across the two games.
Jude Bellingham: 6
Nowhere near the majestic display he put in against Serbia and one of many who looked tired.
Phil Foden: 7
Was far more involved than against Serbia – although that was not hard – and had a few dangerous efforts from range, including one that smacked the post after the break.
Harry Kane: 6
Netted his 64th goal for his country with an opener he could not really miss, but then gave the ball away from Denmark’s leveller. Surprisingly subbed.
SUBS:
Conor Gallagher (on for Trent, 54): 7
Vital clearance on the stretch when Christian Eriksen was lurking and was not afraid to put his foot in.
Ollie Watkins (on for Kane, 70): 6
Played in by Bellingham’s lovely ball after coming on but could not finish from an acute angle.
Jarrod Bowen (on for Foden, 69): 6
Copped a nasty tackle which saw Joakim Maehle booked.
Eberechi Eze (on for Saka, 69): 6
On for his tournament bow though he was rarely involved.