“If we aren’t good enough on Wednesday we don’t deserve to be in the tournament”.
The tough actuality from Georgia Stanway will echo round England’s altering room earlier than they tackle Netherlands of their very important group sport on the Euros.
Lose and they are going to be on a flight residence on Monday morning, turning into the primary defending champions to be knocked out on the group stage.
It looks like a cliche however there may be positively an additional depth in coaching. Media are often allowed to movie the primary quarter-hour of a session the day earlier than a event match, which historically consists of warm-ups, gentle runs and primary passing drills.
The day earlier than the Netherlands sport, nonetheless, issues ramped up. Gamers had been louder, faster, sharper. Clearly phrases have been spoken and messages despatched. Issues want to enhance.
One speaking level that may have stunned England head coach Sarina Wiegman is the dialogue surrounding Lauren James.
The Chelsea ahead did all she might to get well from a hamstring harm to make the beginning line-up in opposition to France after greater than three months out.
Gamers like James can win video games in a solitary second of brilliance – you may’t blame Wiegman for wanting somebody of her immense expertise in from the beginning in opposition to an distinctive France aspect.
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Talking on the Lionesses podcast, Manchester Metropolis captain Alex Greenwood says England will put their defeat to France behind them as they put together for Netherlands subsequent in Group D
There’s been a lot debate away from the camp about whether or not James was totally able to play, whether or not she’d have had extra affect from the bench and whether or not she must be taking part in centrally or out large.
With Lauren Hemp additionally getting back from a significant harm and Beth Mead’s type not what it has been in earlier seasons, James’ creativity and worry issue is seen as important to England creating sufficient possibilities in opposition to the very best within the competitors.
James just isn’t seen internally as England’s drawback, participant errors and a scarcity of depth on the pitch are.
England made far too many particular person errors and errors in opposition to France, which proved pricey
Netherlands supply a very totally different risk to France, with technically gifted gamers who wish to dominate central areas.
England’s sport plan will differ however it will likely be hammered residence by Wiegman and her employees in a bid to keep away from the numerous errors that blighted the efficiency in opposition to France.
If England do stumble, nobody will be capable to blame the preparation. The gamers know what is anticipated and the way they’re alleged to go about it.
Stanway says she desires the Lionesses to return to a “proper England” efficiency of physicality and grit.
It’s time to go exhausting or go residence.
