Euro 2024 hasn't featured a display of beautiful football by England so far, and Glen Johnson says that's OK.
The Three Lions have been criticised for their performances at the continental championship thus far, despite topping their group and advancing to this weekend's quarter-finals.
It nearly ended for England in the Round of 16 as they were saved by a spectacular Jude Bellingham strike in stoppage time and an extra time winner by Harry Kane to defeat Slovakia 2-1, but Johnson believes the results are more important than how the team have played.
Speaking to Paddy Power, the retired England defender explained how the manager has an unenviable task of balancing pragmatism with entertainment as the Three Lions have continued through the tournament.
“For England fans, we’re only getting this one opportunity right now and the next game [against Switzerland] is huge so I understand why fans want Gareth Southgate to do what they think is best," Johnson said. "But, at the end of the day, he’s the England manager, and I understand the frustration because there’s one match left.
“If Southgate had played the same way against Slovakia and lost, then he would’ve got throttled but people need to show him some respect because he is the England manager. Yes, it might not be the best football we’ve seen but they’re still in the tournament and are only one game away from the next round.
“Would I love to see flamboyant, exciting football? Absolutely. But we’d rather be boring and win than flamboyant and lose.”
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