logo
England ‘a work in progress' and have a lot of improving to do

England ‘a work in progress' and have a lot of improving to do

Glasgow Timesa day ago

England laboured to an unimpressive 1-0 victory over Andorra, a side ranked 173rd in the world, before slipping to their first defeat to African opposition three days later.
Despite Harry Kane's early goal, the warning signs were there as Dean Henderson made five saves in the first period, but after Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr drew the visitors level, Habib Diarra and Cheikh Sabaly struck in the second half as boos rang around the City Ground.
Gallagher, who was substituted in the second half, revealed Tuchel was calm in the dressing room after the game and is frustrated the next international window is three months away.
England went 1-0 up before slipping to defeat at the City Ground (Mike Egerton/PA)
The Atletico Madrid midfielder said: 'It was a really tough game, but we're still building. There's a lot to improve and there's a lot to work on and, as a team, we'll do that.
'I'm sure the manager and the coaching staff will look back at the game and see where we can be better because there is a lot of improvement to be made, but we're moving forward.
'He's calm. He's obviously disappointed and not happy, but he's calm with us. He knows we could be a lot better.
'It's a shame because we're away from each other for a few months now, whereas he would like to kind of fix the problem straight away, but he can't because that's how it is in international football.
'It's a work in progress and all the lads and the staff and the manager are all confident and happy with the progression.
'We have a lot to build on and improve and that's what we're going to try to do.'
England were accused of not showing the right attitude in their narrow win over minnows Andorra.
Asked whether they had shown the right application against Senegal, Gallagher replied: 'Yeah, definitely. I think we really wanted to win and I feel like we worked hard.
'I don't think we were great, if I'm being honest. But like I keep saying, it's a kind of work in progress and we need to improve moving forward and we're all happy to be doing that.'
Gallagher was substituted in the second half (Mike Egerton/PA)
Gallagher's focus will now switch to the Club World Cup as he prepares to join up with his Atletico team-mates in the United States ahead of their first game against Champions League winners Paris St Germain at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
He said: 'It's really exciting and I'm really looking forward to it. It's going to be a great tournament. I think it will be really exciting when all the teams are actually there and the tournament starts.
'You want to always play against the best players and the midfielders. Obviously (PSG) had an unbelievable season, so you want to be playing against these guys. We know how hard it will be, but it's good for us and it's exciting.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Lee Carsley confident of improvement from England Under-21s
Lee Carsley confident of improvement from England Under-21s

The Herald Scotland

timean hour ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Lee Carsley confident of improvement from England Under-21s

Daniel Fila, though, swiftly reduced the deficit in the 50th minute, before England defender Charlie Cresswell headed in a third from a corner with 15 minutes left to settle any late nerves at the MOL Arena. The Young Lions had beaten Spain two years ago to win the European title for a third time, but travelled to Slovakia without the likes of Liam Delap and Jobe Bellingham who will be at the Club World Cup. Carsley, though, feels the opening Group B win showed plenty to build on – with Newcastle defender Tino Livramento producing a player-of-the-match display, his surging runs down the left causing plenty of problems and helping set up Rowe's near-post flick soon after the restart. 'Our expectations are always to do well,' Carsley said to 'The realisation is that is the first time that team has played together. Some of them are in different positions, so our expectation was not to put too much pressure on the players and that, at times, it would look a bit scruffy. 'In the second half, we maybe didn't have as much control as we would like to play with and went a bit longer too quickly, but they should take a lot of credit – not only the players who started the game, but also those who came on.' Full-time in Dunajská Streda. England won 3:1 in the opening match of the #U21EURO. — Czech Football National Team (@ceskarepre_eng) June 12, 2025 Carsley will now regroup the squad to next face Slovenia in Nitra on Sunday, with their last group fixture on June 18 against Germany, who beat Slovenia 3-0 in Thursday night's other match. 'I definitely expect us to keep improving, the longer we can stay in the tournament,' said Carsley, who had seen his side fail to pick up victories in their last two warm-up matches against the Netherlands and Spain, alongside a 5-3 defeat to France in March. 'The next two days are very important in terms of our recovery and preparation for the Slovenia game. 'There is definitely no way we will be overlooking Slovenia, because we have seen a lot of them and they are a good, well organised team.' Liverpool winger Elliott believes the players can take confidence from their 'incredible start' to the tournament. The 22-year-old said: 'It is one of the most important games to get off to a flyer. 'We did that against tough opponents who caused us problems at times, but the boys dug deep and controlled the game towards the end. 'It was an incredible performance and we need to build, recover and go again.'

Thomas Frank appointed new Tottenham head coach on three-year deal after club paid hefty release clause to lure him from Brentford and replace sacked Ange Postecoglou
Thomas Frank appointed new Tottenham head coach on three-year deal after club paid hefty release clause to lure him from Brentford and replace sacked Ange Postecoglou

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

Thomas Frank appointed new Tottenham head coach on three-year deal after club paid hefty release clause to lure him from Brentford and replace sacked Ange Postecoglou

Thomas Frank has been confirmed as Tottenham 's new head coach on a three-year contract. Frank is moving across London after nine years at Brentford to succeed Ange Postecoglou, sacked last Friday, 16 days after his team won the Europa League. 'In Thomas we are appointing one of the most progressive and innovative head coaches within the game,' said a Spurs spokesman. 'He has a proven track record in player and squad development and we look forward to him leading the team as we prepare for the season ahead.' Brentford's director of football Phil Giles issued heartfelt thanks to Frank for his impact on the club he led to promotion in 2021. 'It has been a pleasure working alongside Thomas,' said Giles. 'From the moment he replaced Dean Smith, he understood what we were trying to build and his wisdom, coaching ability and emotional intelligence have helped transform the club. 'There have been so many special moments with Thomas and nobody will ever forget the day at Wembley for the play-off final or that emotional first Premier League game against Arsenal. 'But it's not just what you see on the pitch. He forged a special connection with our fans, helped develop and improve players, and was instrumental in implementing the culture that has seen Brentford go from strength to strength. 'However, just as when a player leaves, it provides an opportunity for someone else to come in and make their own impact. 'We will never forget Thomas, but now it is time to thank him and take the next steps in our journey with a new leader who we believe can be just as successful and influential.' Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy had identified 51-year-old Frank as the man he wanted before sacking Postecoglou last Friday and has spent most of this week negotiating compensation for Brentford for him and several of his coaching staff. Justin Cochrane will join Frank at Spurs although Brentford tried their utmost to keep him the 43-year-old, who spent nine years coaching career in Tottenham's academy. Cochrane, who joined the Bees three years ago from Manchester United is on Thomas Tuchel's England staff and so highly rated that Brentford considered him among the candidates for the head coach role. Also moving across London from the Getch Community Stadium are fitness coach Chris Haslam and analyst Joe Newton. Andreas Georgson will join the coaching team from Manchester United. Postecoglou's assistant coaches Mile Jedinak, Nick Montgomery and Sergio Raimundo have all left Spurs with Matt Wells and goalkeeping coach Rob Burch remaining. Postecoglou's success in delivering silverware, which he promised he would, means that the Dane will take charge of Tottenham in the Champions League, and he will want a squad that is able to compete at the top level. Reports had claimed Tottenham were looking to hijack Manchester United's push to sign Frank's golden boy Bryan Mbeumo from his now former club. However, sources have disclosed that Spurs are 'highly unlikely' to enter the race for the forward, who scored 20 goals in the Premier League last term. Last month, Mail Sport's Oliver Holt played a couple of sets of padel at Brentford's Osterley facility with Frank and assistant first-team coach Kevin O'Connor. During their day together, Frank explained what it takes to build a successful culture at a football club - like he has at Brentford and continue to improve it one step after another. 'We stand on the shoulders of others,' Frank told Mail Sport in an interview last month. 'And we build on foundations they have built for us. We need to acknowledge that every single time. 'It's all about the ego. So how fragile is it or how big is it? Some people need reassurance all the time and to say, 'The reason I'm so good is because of me and has nothing to do with these top players and good staff'. It depends who you are. 'So you need to believe in your own skill set, but be humble enough to know there's a lot of hard work and you're not the only one and all that. So I'm confident in myself and what I'm capable of doing. Also humble enough to know I can do nothing alone. No one can. 'Look, if you ask whether I'm tough, I think I'm extremely resilient. And I think we've all got a dark side. I've got five per cent dark side in me. Even my wife says that. 'You need that dark side, to have an edge and I have an edge. I'm extremely competitive, very determined, and you don't survive in this business if you're not tough.'

Boca Juniors defender Costa denied US visa, misses Club World Cup
Boca Juniors defender Costa denied US visa, misses Club World Cup

Reuters

timean hour ago

  • Reuters

Boca Juniors defender Costa denied US visa, misses Club World Cup

June 12 (Reuters) - Boca Juniors defender Ayrton Costa will miss the Club World Cup after being denied a visa to enter the United States due to a criminal complaint against him in his native Argentina, the club confirmed on Thursday. In 2023, Costa accepted a probationary sentence to avoid trial for an aggravated robbery in 2018, which U.S. officials ruled that he is still serving. Criminal convictions are grounds for inadmissibility to the United States. The decision comes amid a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on issuing visas to some visitors and students. "We can confirm Ayrton Costa is set to miss the Club World Cup with Boca," a club spokesperson told Reuters. "The defender was due to travel on Wednesday night ... but did not obtain the visa." The U.S. embassy in Buenos Aires was not immediately available to respond to a request for comment emailed outside of normal business hours, it said in an automated reply. Boca's opening game is against Portuguese side Benfica in Miami on Monday.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store