Thomas Tuchel singles out three England stars and warns players of axe | Football | Sport

Thomas Tuchel has urged England supporters to keep calm following their World Cup stumble, while warning his players that there could well be rotation against Panama. England were held to a goalless draw by Ghana, bringing them firmly back down to earth, with the Group stage now set to be decided in a final showdown against Panama.

Yet despite a thoroughly disappointing display, Tuchel maintains that no other side has faced as demanding a second fixture as England did against Ghana. The African nation sit 64th in the FIFA rankings, but Tuchel insists they posed a stern challenge in Boston — and that is precisely why England came unstuck.

England boss Tuchel said: “I saw some second round matches from big nations and I’m sorry but with respect there was not the level of Ghana on the other side of the pitch.

“We were facing a very physical team and Ghana were good. We created half chances, we created deliveries and set plays but couldn’t score from it to change the characteristic of the game. I know it’s not an easy watch, I know.

“Maybe I watch it differently from the sideline as a coach. I know what we wanted and what we had to take care of. I know it’s not crazy exciting but it needs two to tango.

“It’s the reality. There is a long way to go and no one won a world cup with four goals per match and going for it.

“We always wanna go for it and our responsibility is to bring everything to the table. We tried and tried but it’s difficult sometimes and there is no need to feel negative.”

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Tuchel reshuffled his defensive line-up, bringing in Marc Guehi to partner Ezri Konsa at the back, and the England manager was quick to praise his rear guard’s performance.

The England boss was also pressed on the significant reaction that followed his side’s laboured 2-0 win over minnows Andorra at Villa Park, before they bounced back emphatically with a 5-0 triumph in Serbia just three days later.

England must now produce a similar response after their goalless draw against Ghana ahead of facing Panama in New Jersey on Saturday.

He singled out the two centre-backs, Guehi and Konsa, alongside Elliot Anderson, for their strong performances.

Tuchel added: “I liked both central defenders. It was a difficult match. We allowed two counter attacks, and only two counter attacks, and they were straightway dangers.

“So, the credit goes to the team, and to the structure, and to the discipline that we didn’t allow more.

“No, I’m not worried, I just know how good they are and how strong they are physically, and 80 per cent per possession is crazy, so we were the ones to constantly try and to produce something. It was a very reactive game of them.

“I was happy with that game against Andorra so if you remember it well I was not concerned and it was not as though I said we need a reaction because we were not good enough.

“And that was not my speech today to the players. This was a complicated match to day and it can happen.”

Tuchel also conceded he had been hopeful of resting and rotating his squad for England’s final Group stage fixture against Panama in New Jersey, had they secured victory over Ghana to seal top spot. That result would have secured top spot in the group and a route into the knockout stages as fourth seeds, with their first knockout fixture set to take place in Atlanta.

Tuchel has confirmed he will make changes for the Panama clash — though not as sweeping a reshuffle as he might have implemented had England sealed the deal.

Tuchel added: “I was not even sure if do the full rotation. Maybe we would have. But I am not shy to do some rotation now. Some players should be on the pitch but maybe it will be more moderate.

“It’s not always fair if you just rotate your players in and say ‘okay lets perform’. Lets see. I like for example the centre backs. They were good together. I like Elliot Anderson, he had a step forward and a good performance, maybe a bit better than against Croatia.”

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