England fans slammed by Scott Parker over treatment of Gareth Southgate
England face the Netherlands in their third semi in four tournaments and Scott Parker says Gareth Southgate deserves huge praise, not abuse from Three Lions fans
Gareth Southgate has been stoutly defended by Scott Parker, who insists no manager should have objects hurled at them.
Southgate had paper cups thrown at him by angry England fans after the Three Lions’ disappointing goalless draw with Slovenia. Parker was appalled by the supporters’ antics and says Southgate has done “a brilliant” job in transforming the team and guiding them to three semi-finals in four tournaments.
England face The Netherlands in the semi-finals on Wednesday and the new Burnley head coach and former England midfielder said: “No human being deserves to have paper cups chucked at them.
“He’s fundamentally a good man and whether people agree or don’t agree with certain things he does, no-one deserves to have paper cups chucked at them. He’s a family man, with children and a wife, and I think that’s what sometimes people don’t understand.
“This is a guy at the cutting edge and I’m sure Gareth would be the first to say there are certain elements that are not to his liking. But he’s in the semi-finals of the Euros and in terms of that, I think he’s done an incredible job.
“This is a man who has come into an England set-up and changed the culture and changed the environment. Now you’re looking at a team that’s enthusiastic to be a part of things.
“I’ve stood in those shoes as an England player and I look at this squad and the feeling they give you, and that’s all down to Gareth.”
Parker, 43, won most of his 18 caps under Fabio Capello and Roy Hodgson and says the England squad back then was fractured by club cliques. He says Southgate has ended all that and made playing for England enjoyable again.
“I was in a generation where it probably wasn’t like that, and that’s been well documented by many players, senior players, who have said sometimes the way of England was very fractious in certain moments,” he said. “It was different units in those times.
“I think it’s very different now, and like I said, I think that’s absolutely full credit to Gareth and his skill set. He’s obviously got a huge skill set and that’s not easy. He’s brought England teams to semis and finals. He’s done a brilliant job for me.”
Parker insists England can beat the Netherlands and reach their first overseas final. “Yeah definitely I fancy them,” he said.
“I thought the last game we played, I thought we played very well against Switzerland. I thought that would be the case. In the group stages, I thought we were up against very disciplined, strong teams in terms of their defending.
“Switzerland, I felt they showed real quality and I think that will be the same with Holland. They are a modern, expansive team, who like to attack and I certainly think we’ve got the players to attack too. So fingers crossed for Gareth and the guys, I really I hope they can do it.”
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