Summary

  1. Bellingham and Kane were in virtually same average positionpublished at 10:17 21 June

    Denmark 1-1 England

    Here's a graphic showing the average positions of the starting XIs in last night's game.

    The first thing that stands out is that England appear to have 10 players, with no number 10. The number 10 is actually obscured by the 9, as Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane's average position was virtually exactly the same.

    England's back four provides width but the defending midfielders are right on top of them. Also, it depends which way you look at it, but if Gareth Southgate wants Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka to do similar roles in support of Harry Kane, then either Foden's drifting in too much or Saka's not close enough.

    Denmark, on the other hand, have a much clearer defined 3-4-2-1 formation, with one defender sweeping at the back. The rest of the formation is quite compact, with striker Rasmus Hojlund far more advanced than Kane, as are Christian Eriksen and Jonas Wind compared to Foden and Saka.

    Graphic showing average positions of players during the Denmark-England game at Euro 2024Image source, Opta
  2. Get Involvedpublished at 10:14 21 June

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    The reason why England are so poor with and without the ball is that the players simply do not seem to understand what they’re being asked to do by the coaching team. The players don’t appear to have been drilled on their shape without the ball and they’re relying on individual brilliance with it. Pep said Kalvin Phillips came back from the last World Cup overweight and last night the players struggled to move around the pitch. It’s one thing having a relaxed environment in the training camp and another not being prepared properly for a match. I fear there is a much bigger issue behind the scenes that is unlikely to fix itself during this tournament.

    Craig, Peterborough

  3. Nicky Campbell phone-inpublished at 10:10 21 June

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Here is a reminder that Nicky Campbell's phone-in until 11:00 BST is on England's performances at Euro 2024.

    You can listen to the debate by clicking the icon at the top of this page.

  4. Page to leave having faced boos and criticism after recent friendliespublished at 10:05 21 June

    Dafydd Pritchard
    BBC Sport Wales

    Rob PageImage source, Getty Images

    Following an underwhelming performance at the 2022 World Cup, Wales coach Rob Page faced heavy criticism after an embarrassing home defeat by Armenia during Euro 2024 qualifying.

    Wales responded with a memorable victory over Croatia, but their hopes of reaching a third successive European Championship ended in agonising fashion as they were beaten on penalties in the play-off final against Poland in March.

    The FAW backed Page in the immediate aftermath of that crushing disappointment, with president Steve Williams saying the former centre-back would be in charge for the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

    Wales then endured a desperate June international window, in which a youthful side drew with the minnows of Gibraltar before a stronger line-up were thumped 4-0 in Slovakia.

    Wales were without a host of frontline players for both matches, but that did not stop Page facing boos and heavy criticism from fans after both matches.

    Read more on this story here.

  5. Page to leave Wales jobpublished at 09:59 21 June
    Breaking

    Wales

    Wales manager Rob Page is set to leave his role after three-and-a-half years in charge of the national side.

    Page, 49, led Wales to a first World Cup in 64 years and guided his country to the second round of Euro 2020.

    But he has paid the price for Wales’ failure to qualify for Euro 2024, with this month’s miserable friendly displays against Gibraltar and Slovakia proving to be the final straw.

    Football Association of Wales (FAW) bosses held talks for more than a week before eventually coming to an agreement that a change was needed.

  6. 'A leap of faith to think they can win this tournament'published at 09:57 21 June

    Denmark 1-1 England

    John Murray
    Commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live

    These are high quality players that operate at the highest level, and yet by the end England’s body language was awful. It really is a leap of faith, to think they can go on and win this tournament.

    However, they are in it and while they’re not through yet, four points is almost certain to get us through into the last 16 and they’ve got this game against Slovenia on Tuesday to try and make things better.

    But is this now a case of something radical? Does he really take a radical turn, to bring in players who’ve not really played a part?

  7. 'Promised the Earth but given an atlas'published at 09:52 21 June

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    Tom: Completely agree with Eric at 8:26 - Southgate has done a brilliant job with the culture in the England camp, developing a working relationship with the media and furthering progress in the knockout stages. But the football is as bad as it's ever been - that's his bread and butter! Last night Kane said they didn't know when to press; that's shocking if true. I'd rather have off-field chaos and on-pitch excellence. Feel like we've been promised the Earth but given an atlas.

  8. There's so much more to come from those players - Shearerpublished at 09:49 21 June

    Denmark 1-1 England

    BBC One

    Speaking to fellow former England striker Gary Lineker on BBC One after last night's game, Alan Shearer said it was a "very poor" performance by England that "wasn't good enough".

    He added: "Where do you start? No energy, no guile... I wouldn't say lack of effort or not trying, but there's so much more to come from those players."

    Media caption,

    "It was very poor" - Alan Shearer reacts to England's draw with Denmark

  9. 'It looks like we are fearful'published at 09:44 21 June

    Denmark 1-1 England

    Trent Alexander-ArnoldImage source, Getty Images

    Former England and Arsenal centre-back Matthew Upson says Trent Alexander-Arnold's midfield position "is not working" because it is too different to his role at Liverpool.

    The 25-year-old was again replaced by Conor Gallagher in the early stages of the second-half on Thursday, as Gareth Southgate hoped to up the pace and intensity of his attack.

    "Alexander-Arnold in that position is not working for me," Upson told told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "You cannot parachute a player into that role, who has got very little experience, and say 'there you go'.

    "He never does the job for Liverpool with his back to play. He is brilliant looking forwards because he gets whatever range of passing he can find, but this is not working.

    "Having the ball under such pressure is not easy and you can go into your shell. That means you then do not make yourself available enough to receive the ball. And this has that feel.

    "It looks like we are fearful and not entirely confident in what we are doing."

  10. Alexander-Arnold finishes bottom of England player raterpublished at 09:41 21 June

    Denmark 1-1 England

    Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi was absolved of blame by readers of BBC Sport's England v Denmark match report, as he finished top of the player rater, albeit with a score of 5.60...

    Player rater

    ...lower down the pecking order and England captain Harry Kane (4.12) only narrowly avoids finishing with the lowest score, with stand-in midfielder Trent Alexander-Arnold finishing bottom on 3.61.

    England player rater
  11. Get Involved - what is going wrong for England?published at 09:33 21 June

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    Ben: I would rather drop Jude Bellingham than Phil Foden - it’s that simple. Our solution - press higher as a team. Kane has to stop dropping into CDM when we lose the ball. Play an actual left winger on the wing. Should have taken a fit left-back.

    Glyn: I'd rather be top of the group with room for improvement than playing our best football and getting beaten. That said, some of Southgate's decisions baffle pundits and public in equal measure.

    Steve: What's wrong with England? Same as every competition with Gareth Southgate. He has no plan B. We will be ripped to pieces by a decent team and with the players we have that should not happen. Missing Phillips is not the problem. Southgate's ability with the players he has is the problem. Is Jose Mourinho available for the next group game?

  12. 'Most important thing is we stay calm and together'published at 09:27 21 June

    Denmark 1-1 England

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    Kieran TrippierImage source, Getty Images

    England left-back Kieran Trippier told BBC Radio 5 Live "there is no need to panic" about England's performances so far in the tournament, but can understand supporters' frustrations.

    "The performance was not there and we know we can take it to so many more levels," said the Newcastle defender, who sank to the floor at the final whistle following the Thursday's draw against Denmark as supporters booed in the stands in Frankfurt.

    "There is so much we can improve on, with and without the ball, but we have to stay calm and positive. Most importantly we stay together.

    "I do not want to make any excuses for the two games, but it is four points. We can understand some of the frustration from the fans, but us players and staff need to stay together.

    "It is tournament football so it is difficult no matter who you play against. But we know as a group of players and as individuals that we can take it up so many more levels.

    "There is no need to panic. We know we can do better and we know the supporters expect better. As an experienced player in the team, the most important thing is that we stay calm and together."

  13. Get Involved - what is going wrong for England?published at 09:22 21 June

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    I am so sick of all this negativity around our performances so far. Has anyone considered that the weight of expectation is having an impact on the players, like it used to in the 2000s. Maybe we performed well in 2018 and Euro 2020 because there was no expectation on what we would achieve. It feels like there is a heavy media agenda on getting Gareth out. For me, the guy should keep the job for as long as he still wants it. Unfortunately, I don't think he will want it after the criticism he so wrongly is dealing with.

    Lee, Kent

  14. 'Surely it doesn't have to be like this?'published at 09:19 21 June

    Today's newspapers

    The I

    The i poses the question 'surely it doesn't have to be like this?' alongside an acceptance from England manager Gareth Southgate that his side need to perform better if they are to progress at the Euros.

    The i back pageImage source, The i
  15. 'Tame old story'published at 09:15 21 June

    Today's newspapers

    The Daily Express

    The Express also leads on Gareth Southgate's comments after his England side were jeered by fans at the final whistle following their 1-1 draw with Denmark.

    Daily Express back pageImage source, Daily Express
  16. 'Sleeping Lions'published at 09:13 21 June

    Today's newspapers

    The Daily Star

    The Star reports that England manager Gareth Southgate tells the nation to target their displeasure at him as he "takes the blame for another dozy display".

    Daily star back pageImage source, Daily Star
  17. Postpublished at 09:08 21 June

    Right, back to England...

    There will be lots more reaction to come. Let's have a quick look at how the national newspapers interpreted the Three Lions' performance.

  18. Watch: Thursday's highlightspublished at 09:05 21 June

    If you want to delve deeper into Thursday's games then here are the highlights from all three matches, starting with another strong showing from Spain against reigning champions Italy...

    Media caption,

    Highlights: Spain 1-0 Italy

    Media caption,

    Highlights: Denmark 1-1 England

    Media caption,

    Highlights: Slovenia 1-1 Serbia

  19. Euro 2024 results, reports & fixturespublished at 08:59 21 June

    All times in BST

    This debate on what is going wrong for England is going to dominate the morning, but obviously the tournament will move on regardless.

    So let's have a quick recap of what happened elsewhere at the Euros in Germany on Thursday and what matches are to come on Friday.

    Click on the links to read the corresponding match reports and previews.

    Thursday's results

    Group B

    Spain 1-0 Italy

    Group C

    Slovenia 1-1 Serbia

    Denmark 1-1 England

    Friday's fixtures

    Group E

    Slovakia v Ukraine (14:00)

    Group D

    Poland v Austria (17:00)

    Netherlands v France (20:00)

    Click on BBC Sport's Euro 2024 index for all the latest reports, video and analysis, plus group tables, fixtures and TV schedule.

  20. Get Involved - what is going wrong for England?published at 08:52 21 June

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    We need to make wholesale changes for the next game. Definitely need Watkins, Palmer and Gordon playing. Kane doesn't bring enough to the game to play. Move Trent back to defence to give Trippier a break. Age is now showing in some of the players.

    Dave

    England may have made it to the semi-finals and quarter-finals of successive World Cups and reached the final of the last Euros, but they cannot perform under real pressure against anyone. Plus their routes were made a little easier, especially in 2018. How you win is as important as the win itself. Statistics don't tell the whole story of how good you are.

    Gary

    You might be onto something there Gary. In the last couple of World Cup tournaments England have had difficult moments against the likes of the USA, Tunisia and Colombia and have lost to Belgium, Croatia and France. At the last Euros six of their seven matches were also at Wembley. Are expectations maybe a little too high?