Southgate attacks English "entitlement" but team still need to swap siege mentality for a "sieg" mentality in Germany.

Gareth Southgate bridled at the suggestion that England should have an even better chance of winning Euro 2024 because they are supposedly in a “kinder” side of the draw. Responding to reporters’ questions at the Dusseldorf Arena this evening in advance of Saturday’s quarter-final with Switzerland, Southgate rounded on the presumption that England faced an easier route to the final.

“I would say that’s a classic example of the entitlement we have as a nation that creates drama and annoys our opponents,” Southgate replied. “We are playing a really strong football nation who have played exceptionally well, are well prepared and have enormous pride. Our focus is on how to win this game and play to the best of our ability.

“We’ve never been to a final outside England, only had two finals in our history, three semi-finals (at home, plus two abroad at Italia 90 and the 2018 World Cup). So lots of nations who we might perceive as English people to be ‘smaller’ have had far better records than us in terms of winning things, in terms of getting to latter stages, it is half of the problem we have.” That entitlement again.

“We definitely have huge respect for our opponents and have to be at our very best to win the game.”

To do so, England actually have to shed their collective bridling at perceived criticism of their poor performances out here to date. It really shouldn’t take much here in Germany for England to swap the Siege Mentality for a Sieg Mentality. Focus on victory, be more positive, get on the front foot, stop fretting about outside noise, respect but don’t fear the Swiss.

Southgate is a skilled diplomat and adept at avoiding antagonising the opposition. Yet he was also fulsome in his praise of his players, and says he has sensed a more upbeat mood ever since the dramatic comeback against Slovakia on Tuesday.

“I feel in training the team looks in a different place mentally, they look more fluid and I am expecting us to play well tomorrow. The longer the players are here, the more belief they have, the less they’re being affected by what is outside (the noise). They can see the opportunity.