| Czech Republic v England, international friendly |
|---|
| Venue: Stadion Strelecky ostrov, Ceske Budejovice Date: Tuesday, 12 November Kick-off: 19:15 GMT |
| Coverage: Watch live on BBC Four, BBC Sport website & app; live text commentary on BBC Sport website & app |
England manager Phil Neville says the squad needs to spend some time away from each other after a recent run of poor results.
The Lionesses suffered their fifth loss in seven matches on Saturday with a 2-1 defeat by Germany at Wembley Stadium.
“I think we need to clear the decks,” said Neville. “See where that reset button takes us.”
Neville also says Nikita Parris will be taken off penalties after missing her third spot-kick out of four at Wembley.
England take on the Czech Republic in a friendly in Ceske Budejovice on Tuesday, their final match of 2019.
Neville thinks the squad may have been adversely affected by the greater scrutiny placed on them following their run to the World Cup semi-finals in July, with women’s football more high profile than it was even a few years ago.
He also says the team’s busy schedule may have played a part in their poor results.
The Lionesses have met up on four occasions since the end of August, with Tuesday’s friendly their seventh match in that time.
“I will give the players a bit of time off after this, free their minds from the England camp,” added Neville.
“What these girls have experienced over the last three months is something they’ve never experienced in their lives before.
“There’s a soft side to me that has to look at the emotional impact of the media, the pressure, the expectation, the fame they’ve gone to, front pages of most magazines and stuff like that. That has a massive effect on you as an inexperienced young player.
“It happened to me in my first two years as a professional footballer. I wasn’t allowed to do an interview because of that effect of getting carried away, believing your own press, believing that you’re somebody that you’re not, cutting corners in some of the things you do professionally, and maybe the opportunities to go and do something instead of recovering and resting.”
Speaking about taking Parris off penalty-taking duties, Neville said: “That is something that we need to protect her from.
“She felt she had let the team down on Saturday. We have taken that decision away from her, she agreed with me to be fair.”
I’d be ashamed if I stepped down – Neville
England’s recent poor run has led to questions about Neville’s future as manager, but the former Manchester United defender says he would be “ashamed” of himself if he decided to step down.
“If I walked away from that challenge I’d be ashamed of myself and my family would be ashamed in me,” he said.
“I love this job and this set of players and I believe in what we are doing, and they believe in me.”
Neville says he has had “unwavering” support from the Football Association despite recent poor results, but acknowledges he needs to repay that faith by turning the team’s form around.
He also says the players need to play “angry” on Tuesday night as they seek a positive response to Saturday’s defeat.
“The support that I’ve had from the FA from day one has been unwavering. They know they plan of where we’re going,” added Neville, who has been in charge of the Lionesses since January 2018.
“What I would say now is that it’s up to myself as a manager and it’s up to this group of players to start performing and delivering and repaying the faith that they are showing in us.
“We’re still wallowing about the World Cup when the rest of women’s football has moved forward. We’ve stood still and the rest have moved on. That’s what happens, if you stand still others will overtake you. That is the harsh reality of what we’ve spoken about over the last two days.
“I want them to be really angry, I want them to be angry with me, I want them to be angry with themselves, and I want us to play angry.
“Because I think we’ve gone a little bit soft. Soft in terms of our mentality, and that’s every single one of us.”
Four players have been withdrawn from the squad for Tuesday’s game.
Defender Alex Greenwood (ankle) and striker Jodie Taylor (back) are injured while Ellen White and Captain Steph Houghton will be rested as planned,
The game kicks off at 19:15 GMT and will be broadcast live on BBC Four.
England squad:
Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Lyon), Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), Mary Earps (Manchester United), Beth England (Chelsea), Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Abbie McManus (Manchester United), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal), Nikita Parris (Lyon), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City), Jill Scott (Manchester City), Lucy Staniforth (Birmingham City), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Carly Telford (Chelsea), Keira Walsh (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal).
