HARRY KANE has launched an upbeat defense of his own form and fitness.
The England captain and all-time top scorer was widely criticized for substandard performances against Serbia and Denmark in the opening two group stage matches.
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But Kane insists he is “as fit as I have been all season” – and highlighted that he has scored one more goal than he has at this stage in England’s previous two tournaments.
Kane was substituted midway through the second half of Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Denmark despite opening the scoring.
But in response to criticism over his overall contributions following a back injury at the end of the domestic season, Kane insists he feels as good as he did when he scored 44 goals in his first campaign for Bayern Munich.
He said: “In the games at this tournament I felt as good as I have all season.
“I know I left in the second game, but that was because the coach wanted to see something different and renew the players up front.
“From my point of view I’m in shape, I’m getting better and better with each game.
“In previous tournaments I’ve talked about trying to make sure you peak for the qualifiers. Time will tell, but it’s important to get to this elimination phase feeling 100 percent and I feel like I’m there.
“Did I play the best I know I can? No. But I didn’t score in the group stage of the World Cup, I didn’t score in the group stage of the last Euro.
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Experts and legends arrived in England
ENGLAND’S lifeless display in their 1-1 draw with Denmark left pundits and legends alike queuing up to criticize Gareth Southgate’s side.
Here’s the best of what was said…
ALAN SEARER
“Terrible performance, especially after moving up in the game.
“I don’t think a single English player can look at themselves and say, ‘I did my job tonight’.
“England were all over the place, sloppy in possession, losing the ball too much and getting caught too many times.
“There was no energy, no pace, no guile – Southgate is simply not getting the best out of England’s best players.
“It is worrying and Gareth will be asked some serious questions.
“You saw England players lying on their backs – they looked absolutely devastated, but there’s no excuse for that.”
GARY LINEKER
The BBC presenter called the performance “lifeless and tepid”.
Of Harry Kane he said: “He needs his manager to ask more of him. I would have expected that if I had given that kind of performance.”
RIVER FERDINANDO
“The players don’t look the same as their clubs. It’s a big concern.”
ROY KEANE
“Courage and bravery, we’re not really seeing that.
“There is something wrong with the balance. Bellingham is waving his arms.
“This is a big test for Gareth. It seems like he’s overthinking things.”
JAMIE CARRAGHER
“My big concern watching this and the rest of the tournament?
“England look absolutely exhausted. They can’t get close to the ball.
“The surest sign of fatigue is falling deeply.
“Declan Rice is having to cover a lot of ground. No one can convince me that this is a strategy.”
JACK WILSHERE
“It’s strange that we’ve taken the lead in both games so far, but instead of that calming us down and giving us the confidence to play, we haven’t been able to take control.
“But the most worrying thing was that Denmark had a clear way of playing, while we didn’t.”
“So from that standpoint, it’s a bonus to be one goal ahead.”
Ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Slovenia, Kane claims England are feeling their way into the tournament.
He said: “This is not the time to panic, but rather to improve. In these tournaments, at this early stage, it’s almost like a boxer in the first rounds seeing how everything is and how he feels.
“Or a golfer in a major tournament in the first round – ‘don’t play out of the tournament. Stay calm’.”
England must defeat Slovenia to ensure they finish top of Group C and avoid a likely round of 16 clash with hosts Germany.
And Kane, 30, said: “We definitely want to win the group. I don’t think it’s just about avoiding someone.
“Of course Germany have had a fantastic start to the tournament, but I think it’s more the boost that a win will give us in the knockout stage.
“People expected us to finish first and we hope to finish first, especially in the position we are in now.
“We want to go there on Tuesday and set the tone for the rest of the tournament.”
Slovenia Euro 2024 Guide
BALKAN SCOTLAND – Slovenia have qualified for three tournaments since independence in 1990 but have never reached the knockout stages.
However, striker Benjamin Sesko is seen as the next Erling Haaland and gives the Slovenians reason to be more optimistic this time.
MANAGER: Matjaz Kek
In his second spell as coach and in charge since 2018 – he only lost two qualifying games, despite having to overcome the death of his father.
STAR MAN: Jan Oblak
The Slovenians will hope that Sesko can score goals at one end, while Oblak, one of the best goalkeepers in the world, can keep them at bay at the other.
How Slovenia attacks
Slovenia will be one of the few teams at the Euros to play 4-4-2, with Sesko partnering former Middlesbrough striker Andraz Sporar in attack.
When Slovenia attack, the two wingers will come in to play as makeshift attacking midfielders in the front four. They are also dangerous on the counterattack.
How Slovenia defends
Slovenia will play on two benches of four and sit back to deny their opponent space.
They will not go out of their way to be pressured under almost any circumstances.
Read the full Slovenia Euro 2024 guide including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
