ADAM HINSHELWOOD expects the England national team to reach the latter stages of Euro 2024, after keeping a close eye on the Three Lions’ progress in Germany.

An uninspiring start to the Euro’s for England has seen Gareth Southgate’s side come under criticism for a slow start to this year’s competition, despite an unbeaten start which saw the Three Lions top Group C.

A 1-0 victory over Serbia was followed by a 1-1 draw with Denmark, before a goalless stalemate against Slovenia, with England managing to score just two goals in their three group stage matches, setting up a Round of 16 tie with Slovakia on Sunday, June 30 (5pm).

Whilst the performances haven’t been much to cheer about, York City manager Hinshelwood firmly believes that it could still be England’s year, after keeping a close eye on the campaign.

“We’ve got to be looking at the final or the semi-final, especially with the side of the draw that we are at,” Hinshelwood told the Press.

“I have [been watching England], I though the first 35 minutes [vs Denmark] was superb and then it just seems to fall off a little bit.

“It’s got to be tough, it’s not the style of football that maybe I want to watch.

“I’m hoping that we can change it and be a bit more creative, I’m just like any England fan that is passionate, we all have our opinion, but I maybe have a bit more sympathy for the manager than other people would, it’s just the tuck shop that we have got.”

Hinshelwood may not be managing the national team, but as a manager himself, he often finds himself questioning the tactical decision made by Southgate, and ponders what he would change to help improve England’s chances.

However, despite the criticism that under-fire Southgate has found himself receiving, Hinshelwood admitted that he does sympathise with the Three Lions boss.

Hinshelwood told the Press: “I’m just like any fan, I would have put [Bukayo] Saka at left-back just to have a left-footer playing there.

“The pundits were also saying that after the game, I’m quite an attacking, forward-thinking sort of manager, I want to see it get forward and scoring those goals.

“It doesn’t look like we’re creating enough with the quality that we have out on the pitch, but sometimes when we get out with [Kieran] Trippier, he has to cut back onto his right and it slows us down.

READ NEXT:

“A left-footed player helps us out with that, but I’m just like any other England supporter and one of the 60 odd million people with an opinion.”

Southgate’s England began their campaign in a rocky fashion, despite being the odds-on favourites for the competition, after superstar Jude Bellingham powered his header past Serbian shot-stopper Predrag Rajkovic to lead the Three Lions to three points.

However, a drab draw with Denmark saw England come under criticism.

A close-ranged finish saw captain Harry Kane open his account for the tournament, before a superb strike from Morten Hjulmand drew the Danes level in Frankfurt.

England ended their group stage, having already confirmed their progression to the next round, with a dreary 0-0 draw against Slovenia, in a rather tiresome performance that left supporters with a sour taste in their mouths.

Southgate has since admitted that there is work to be done, which Hinshelwood agrees with, but admits that he feels sympathy for the England boss, who he believes has been treated in an unfair fashion.

Adam Hinshelwood sympathised with England manager Gareth Southgate (pictured).Adam Hinshelwood sympathised with England manager Gareth Southgate (pictured). (Image: PA/Simon Marper)

Hinshelwood explained: “It really is a tuck shop, I sympathise with him and he does the best that he can, he has a way of how he wants to play and I don’t think it’s the same as how a lot of us want to see us play!

“I'm hoping that he can get it right, ultimately we haven’t done that bad, we are undefeated and have kept two clean sheets, which is a big part of what you have to do in tournament football.

“Its players that we see perform regularly in the Premier League, if they can start clicking then they can go far in the competition.”

The Euro’s, as always, has shown underdog stories and surprises during the competition, with Georgia’s win over Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and Slovakia’s empowering efforts against Belgium being the two biggest upsets so far.

However, it’s the story of Austria, led by former Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick, pipping World Cup finalists France, as well as Netherlands and Poland, to the top of Group D, which has caught the attention.

The performances of Austria have been elected as Hinshelwood’s Team of the Tournament so far.

“I’ve been saying to people that the Adam Hinshelwood team of the Euro’s would be Austria, I like how they play from going from a three into a one, having six players in the frontline, I’m really enjoying watching them play.

“I’m really excited to see how far they can go.”