Frustrated Southgate believes 'England are not where they should be'
Reading Time: 1min | Sat. 18.11.23. | 20:04
Three Lions produced an underwhelming performance in a 2-0 home win against Malta
England boss Gareth Southgate said his England side are "not where we need to be" after Friday's 2-0 Euro 2024 qualifier win over Malta.
Enrico Pepe's own goal and Harry Kane's 62nd strike gave the Three Lions victory against the underdogs that lost all their eight games, but Southgate's team, who had already qualified for the next year's tournament, produced an underwhelming performance.
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"We didn't hit the heights we have done this calendar year," said Southgate.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Southgate added:
"If you don't start games well, it's very difficult to pick it up, and we didn't. We know the level we've got should be better, can be better. Those games that you know you can win at a canter, the number of games these players are playing, it's almost a self-regulation. So, not enough quality on the ball and not enough chances created, but I have been a player, and I know exactly how those games feel. Clearly, it's possible we could have had three or four with the decisions as well, but we didn't create enough clear chances to deserve that anyway," concluded Southgate.
