Football Forget Euro glory if we don’t improve at the back – Trent
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We have to concede less goals. As defenders, as a team and as a unit we know where to improve and where to work on
TRENT Alexander-Arnold says England must improve their defensive record if they are to stand any chance of winning Euro 2020.
The Three Lions will gurantee themselves a place in next summer’s finals if they beat the Czech Republic in their Group A qualifier in Prague tonight.
Gareth Southgate’s side are firm favourites to advance after a perfect start to the qualification campaign, including a 5-0 victory over tonight’s opponents at Wembley in March.
But, while the attacking abilities of the likes of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho are being heralded, England have issues at the back.
Last month’s 5-3 win against Kosovo at Southampton did little to paper over cracks that were open for all to see when Holland defeated Southgate’s men 3-1 in the Nations League semi-final in
June.
Individual errors accounted for many of the goals shipped across those two games as Southgate continues to strive for a settled – and in-form – back four.
“If we want to be regarded as one of the best teams in Europe and go far in the Euros, and try and win the competition, our clean sheets and goals conceded must be fewer,” Liverpool full-back Alexander-Arnold, pictured, admitted.
“We have to concede less goals. As defenders, as a team and as a unit we know where to improve and where to work on. Kosovo, really, were an underrated side and we had massive respect for them before the game. We knew they had threats and, luckily for us, were able to outscore them, but we were not happy with the goals we conceded and we need to work on it.”
Champions League-winning right-back Alexander-Arnold will battle with Kieran Trippier for a place in Southgate’s team tonight and in Sunday’s qualifier against Bulgaria in Sofia.
The pair have, for the time being, seen off the challenge of Kyle Walker, who has missed out on the last two squads.
It remains to be seen who Southgate opts for in the centre of his defence, with uncapped pair Tyrone Mings and Fikayo Tomori pushing more established names such as Harry Maguire, Michael Keane and Joe Gomez for a place in the side.
» James Maddison has withdrawn from the England squad for the two games due to an illness. The Leicester midfielder, 22, has made an impressive start to the season and was expected to make a senior debut in this round of matches. BRISTOL Rovers’ development system is in a really healthy place says manager Graham Coughlan following Luca Hoole’s call-up by Wales Under-19s.
The marauding right-back, pictured, made his senior debut last month in Rovers’ 1-1 draw with Plymouth Argyle in the EFL Trophy.
“It is hats off to the kid, he has worked his socks off,” said Coughlan. “He has come into a really healthy environment and flourished in it and got his just rewards. I just need to get him on the pitch now at the Mem, or in a Rovers jersey a little bit more. I need to give him a little bit more exposure and a little bit more game time.
“But credit to all those people in the academy who have put time and effort into developing him – and, of course, credit to the kid himself.
“He is in the Welsh under-19s, which is tremendous. I am very disappointed Lucas Tomlinson hasn’t been called up to the Republic of Ireland set-up as well, but that is the type of players we have identified and picked up. We have another batch of them in the background as well which we would like to bring through and get them on board with the first team and give them some exposure, so things are going well.
“It is part of the job we enjoy doing, Kevin Maher, Joe Dunne and myself. We love getting hold of the young ones and bringing them through.” Coughlan has always emphasised the importance of a pathway from academy to first team if a mid-budget side like Rovers are to have success. The big success story this season is Alfie Kilgour, 21, who has become an integral part of the first team squad, already starting 12 games.