3 days ago
Rio Ferdinand's brutal two-word England verdict after Senegal humiliation
England lost to Senegal at Nottingham Forest's City Ground and a poor performance left Thomas Tuchel with plenty to think about after two disappointing outings in a row
Rio Ferdinand was almost left in disbelief as England fell to a 3-1 defeat to Senegal at the City Ground. The Three Lions gave up a 1-0 lead thanks to some questionable defending to lose for the first time in Thomas Tuchel's tenure.
Former England international Ferdinand was quick to respond to Senegal's third goal. After a ferocious counter-attack which saw the visitors outnumber their hosts, Cheikh Sabaly cemented the African side's win with a goal in stoppage time.
Ex-United defender Ferdinand offered a simple response on social media. "Wow… England," he said.
It was an unimpressive display from Tuchel's fourth match in charge, as England failed to defend well for either of Senegal's opening two goals. Harry Kane had given the home side the lead before Ismaila Sarr and Habib Diarra saw Senegal rally.
England captain Kane was forthright in his assessment. The performance wasn't good enough.
"We're not going to panic but we know we have to be better," he said. "There's some ideas which are new, some new players coming in who don't have experience internationally. There's no excuses, we have to find it quick."
ITV pundit Roy Keane was equally critical of England's reaction to their setbacks as much as the errors themselves. The ex-Republic of Ireland and Manchester United captain wanted to see a more forceful response on the pitch.
"Even the first two goals [England] conceded tonight, I don't see them getting hold of each other," he said. "You don't throw each other under the bus but you start shouting at each other telling them to do their job.
'For the second goal, they are having a chat like they are in Starbucks, 'Maybe I should have gone for that.'
"Do your job! That is what good team-mates do. Do your job or we are in trouble.'
Keane believes there were things that should concern Tuchel. "England, on the one hand you don't want to over-react but the signs aren't great," he said.
"It's been a bad couple of days for them. They have the dream start, they go 1-0 up, they made some good changes but it won't be a good summer break for the manager.
"He'll be concerned. We're on the outside looking in, but there's something missing. They don't look like a happy group.
"Not in the sense of being disappointed with the result, are they all in it together? Is there that proper spirit in the group? I'm not so sure."
