PAUL SCHOLES has shocked fans after stating he was ‘encouraged’ by England’s performance during their goalless drew with Slovenia.
England progressed to the last-16 of Euro 2024 as Group C winners and Scholes believes the Three Lions are heading in the right direction.
England have been roundly criticised for their performance as they laboured to a 0-0 draw with Slovenia, hardly threatening to score.
But the Manchester United legend is one pundit who has offered some positives.
Scholes, 49, was pleased that Southgate introduced different stars who had not previously played at Euro 2024.
He wrote on his Instagram story: “It might surprise a few.
“I’m very encouraged by that performance, at some point during that game the right players were on the pitch at the same time.
“Think this team is ready to click. Goodnight!”
While Scholes doesn’t specify who the ‘right players’ are, the Three Lions did improve during the second half.
The gradual introductions of Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, and Anthony Gordon brought some much needed energy.
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Mainoo impressed after being offered his first minutes of Euro 2024 after replacing Conor Gallagher at half-time.
And it was the first time Palmer left the bench in Germany as he replaced Bukayo Saka with 20 minutes remaining.
The Chelsea star – who won Young Premier League Player of Year – completed 100 percent of his passes and had a shot on target.
Scholes is not the only former England international to draw positives from the performance – Gary Lineker did as well.
Lineker said: “I think there were signs in that performance that I quite liked.
“In the second half, I thought you could see that if this team continue to play a high press, chances will come.”
ENGLAND served up another underwhelming performance – but still managed to top Group C.
England dominated the ball, but Southgate will have plenty of questions to answer after a third straight display that lacked inspiration.
SunSport’s Tom Barclay has given his ratings of the England players.
Jordan Pickford – 6
Largely a spectator due to England’s dominance on the ball. Asked the touchline what the Denmark score was during one break in the second half.
Kieran Trippier – 6
The one positive of having a right-footed player playing left-back is that he can dispatch in-swinging crosses, and one such one should have been headed home by Conor Gallagher before the break.
Marc Guehi – 7
Cruyff turn early doors showed his confidence from excellent displays against Serbia and Denmark, and barring one loose pass was good again.
John Stones – 6
One of many to miss his target with his passing. He wasn’t bad but, like others, way off what he has produced for his club.
Kyle Walker – 5
Played so safe, rarely looked to get forward. Was lucky at one point that Pickford was alive to his blast of a pass-back. Sliced cross after break summed up his off-night.
Conor Gallagher – 4
Got the nod after the Trent Alexander-Arnold midfield experiment ended, but was poor, particularly, in possession and replaced at half-time by Kobbie Mainoo.
Declan Rice – 7
Had promised an “in your face” performance from his team, but he was really the only one to produce it. Very good out of possession, much better than against Denmark.
Phil Foden – 7
Liveliest of England’s attacking four by a mile and went close with a stinging free-kick. Booked for dissent, summing up England’s frustration.
Jude Bellingham – 5
Cut a very frustrated figure as he and Harry Kane got in each other’s way at times, while he was often shunted wide left as Phil Foden moved into the middle.
Bukayo Saka – 6
Tapped home on 20 minutes, but it was ruled out for offside in the build-up. OK but once again subbed after the break, perhaps due to fitness concerns.
Harry Kane – 6
Insists he is 100 per cent fit and maybe he is. What is 100 per cent certain is that he has been nowhere near as effective in this tournament as he usually is for England, albeit he was marginally better here.
Substitutes
Kobbie Mainoo (for Gallagher at half-time) – 7
Made a difference when coming on, making England much more positive in their play. So much more confident with his touch than Gallagher.
Cole Palmer (for Bukayo Saka on 71) – 7
Finally made an appearance at this tournament and one clever ball through for Mainoo showed what he can do.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (for Kieran Trippier on 84) – 6
Came on for the final few minutes at right-back, with Walker going to left-back.
Anthony Gordon (for Phil Foden on 88) – 6
Like Palmer, first minutes at the Euros, but too late to make an impact.
But Gary Neville admitted he was saddened by what he was witnessing.
Neville said: “There’s no real in-built patterns that they do off the cuff.
“At international football that sometimes can happen through familiarity but you need to work on that.
“We look really basic. Honestly, we look really basic.”
But Neville also found some solace from the second-half display.
He added: “Every time Gareth made a substitution, we got better. Even moving Trent to right-back and Kyle Walker to left-back.”
While captain Harry Kane said: “We came top in the group and control our own destiny. Tonight was a tough game, I thought we played a lot better than the first two games.
