Euro 2024: 'England fans' frustration with Southgate will not affect us'

England defender Marc Guehi says fan unrest over Gareth Southgate will not affect the team at Euro 2024.

The England manager was visibly upset and had plastic cups thrown at his feet as he applauded the traveling fans after Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Slovenia which saw England top Group C.

Afterwards Southgate insisted that he would like to be a lightning rod for the fans' frustrations and that they should continue to support the players on the pitch as they have to work in the 'extraordinary environment' created by the frustrations of the fans and the media.

“His record speaks for itself, everyone is behind the boss” ❤️

Marc Guehi praises Gareth Southgate for the role he has played in his England career pic.twitter.com/MqmyFr8GsV

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 27, 2024

Guehi said at a press conference on Thursday afternoon: “I don't think the team is too focused on that. Thank you for the support of the fans because they went to see us.

“It is a calm and focused camp. Everyone is focused on the next task we are doing.”

The Crystal Palace defender insisted his manager's England record 'speaks for itself,' adding: “He's been great for England.

“Everyone is behind him and we have a very close-knit team. He gave me my first game in England and showed a lot of confidence in me. Thank you for that.”

Confidence is something England could use a lot as they head into the knockout stages but the 23-year-old added: “What builds confidence is teamwork, playing well and the fact we haven't lost a game yet.

“We have to control what we can control to stay focused.”

England have conceded just one goal in their three games and their xG is against the best of the 24 teams in the competition, which is impressive as Guehi has earned praise for his performance filling in for regular lynchpin Harry Maguire at short notice.

Guehi added: “It's great to hear. There was a good performance of people. I enjoy the experience and the competition. Thank you very much.”

“It's a group, you know how to defend well. If we are going to go far in this tournament, our defense must be strong.

“I don't know what the critics are saying. As long as we keep moving forward in the right direction, we'll be fine.”

Slovakia are next in the round of 16 in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday (5pm BST) and Guehi revealed: “We haven't done any team analysis on them but we all watch the games and we know they are a good team. They have really good players, [Stanislav] Lobotka to be one.

“I think it will be another tough opponent, a tough challenge and we need to be ready to keep up with the newcomers.”

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🇸🇰 Lobotka 20
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🇬🇪Kakabadze 20
🇬🇪Dvali 20 pic.twitter.com/Mp1m8FhR5p

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Topping the group has ensured England will avoid the likes of Germany, Spain, Portugal and France until they meet in the final on July 14 in Berlin, but Guehi denied one side's talk was easier than the other.

“Everyone has seen from the results in the competition so far that there is no good side,” he said. “All opponents are difficult to play with.

“We just need peace. We put pressure on ourselves, but it's a very calm and focused place.”

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