Palmer and Gordon add a spark - Shearer
- Published
It is difficult to judge players properly when they come on late in a game, but Cole Palmer did well against Slovenia, and England looked more of a threat.
It was the same with Anthony Gordon, who had a couple of runs down the left. With him on the pitch, we probably looked more dangerous down that flank in the final five minutes as we did in the rest of the three games combined.
The move right at the end that started with Jude Bellingham and Gordon on the left and ended with Palmer's shot being saved was probably the best thing England did all night.
It was the only time at these Euros that I saw us move the ball from left to right with pace, and it caused the opposition problems.
We need to see much more of that. Palmer and Gordon could be the key to providing the spark and energy we have been badly missing.
That is what gives me the most hope because there has not been very much else to get excited about.
Palmer and Gordon have given Gareth Southgate something massive to think about - and he has got some huge decisions to make.
One tiny positive from our tournament is the side of the draw we are now on - avoiding Spain, France, Portugal and Germany has done us a huge favour - but I'm not sure we can go into any game right now feeling confident about winning.
Normally I would say that our tournament starts here, but I do not really know what to expect in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday, whoever we end up facing.