England Women‘s coach Phil Neville accepts four defeats in five matches is unacceptable but remains confident in the work he is doing with the squad.
Since losing the World Cup semi-final against the United States in July the Lionesses have lost to Sweden, Norway and Brazil and drawn against Belgium.
Neville believes they are being punished for every mistake but is not losing hope.
“We’re in that period where things aren’t going for us that maybe were going for us 12 months ago,” he said ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Portugal in Setubal.
“Losing four out of five games is not acceptable and I don’t want to brush around that but I can take comfort from the way we performed.
1/24 Karen Bardsley – 7 out of 10
Uncomfortable playing out of the back on occasions but did the basics well when called upon. Missed in the semi-final.
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2/24 Carly Telford – 6 out of 10
Stepped in for Bardsley on three occasions. Did not disgrace herself, though positioning and decision-making could be questioned on both United States goals.
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3/24 Mary Earps – N/A
Unused third-choice goalkeeper, though will hopefully have benefitted from the experience of travelling to a tournament.
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4/24 Lucy Bronze – 8.5 out of 10
England’s best all-round player enjoyed an excellent tournament, only to blemish her record with a muted display in the semi-final.
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5/24 Rachel Daly – 7.5 out of 10
Impressive against Japan, showcasing the depth at Neville’s disposal, but failed to trouble the United States when called upon again in the last four.
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6/24 Alex Greenwood – 6 out of 10
Started well. Never afraid to offer her winger support on the overlap, winning the penalty against Argentina, though her levels dropped for then onwards.
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7/24 Demi Stokes – 6 out of 10
Always felt more defensively reliable than Greenwood, but overwhelmed when trying to contain Tobin Heath and Rose Lavelle down her side against the United States.
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8/24 Steph Houghton – 8 out of 10
The missed penalty will be long remembered, but the England captain was so often making a crucial block or last-ditch tackle at this tournament. Covered for clear defensive frailties.
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9/24 Millie Bright – 5 out of 10
Another member of Neville’s first-choice defence that never appeared truly comfortable playing out from the back. Had to be carried through by Houghton at times.
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10/24 Abbie McManus – 6 out of 10
One of several players that was arguably not used enough, especially given Bright’s struggles, though did not cover herself in glory against Sweden.
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11/24 Leah Williamson – N/A
Only appeared once, as a late substitute with the game already won against Cameroon.
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12/24 Jill Scott – 7.5 out of 10
13 years on from her debut, still England’s best central midfielder. Without her physical presence, the semi-finals would have been a long shot. Will she still be around in 2023?
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13/24 Keira Walsh – 6 out of 10
Too easily overran and failed to dictate the play for too much of the tournament, though redeemed herself in the semi-final.
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14/24 Jade Moore – 5.5 out of 10
Supposedly a more combative and conservative presence than Walsh, though England’s midfield did not look any more stable with her in it.
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15/24 Fran Kirby – 6 out of 10
Finally came to life in the third-place playoff. Of course, by then, it was too late to salvage a disappointing individual tournament for one of England’s most naturally-gifted players.
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16/24 Georgia Stanway – 7.5 out of 10
Excellent on her only start, against Japan. Bringing her on in the 89th minute of the semi-final summed up Neville’s insufficient use of her at this World Cup.
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17/24 Karen Carney – 7 out of 10
Made a telling impact from the substitutes’ bench against Japan. Another who Neville may look back and feel he did not use enough, but has now hung up her boots.
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18/24 Lucy Staniforth – N/A
Like Williamson, her only appearance was as a late substitute against Cameroon.
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19/24 Nikita Parris – 6.5 out of 10
Began brilliantly against Scotland, lively against Norway, but everything either side of those two games was a little underwhelming for the FWA’s Player of the Year.
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20/24 Beth Mead – 7.5 out of 10
Caught the eye in glimpses. Assists against Argentina and the United States stand out. A fiftful presence, but one that should have been trusted more.
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21/24 Toni Duggan – 5 out of 10
Picked up an injury at the start of the tournament and looked off-the-pace in the appearances that followed. Dropped for the semi-final and could have few complaints.
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22/24 Ellen White – 9 out of 10
Brilliant. Tirelessly led the England press off the ball. On it, she made every touch count. Six goals to her name, but sadly no Golden Boot.
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23/24 Jodie Taylor – 6 out of 10
White’s form left Taylor sidelined, though she delivered a crucial winning goal when called upon against Argentina.
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24/24 Phil Neville – 6 out of 10
Introduction of a more progressive style is a positive, but work still to do. Selections and in-game decision-making left much to be desired. Has unquestionably built a strong team spirit.
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1/24 Karen Bardsley – 7 out of 10
Uncomfortable playing out of the back on occasions but did the basics well when called upon. Missed in the semi-final.
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2/24 Carly Telford – 6 out of 10
Stepped in for Bardsley on three occasions. Did not disgrace herself, though positioning and decision-making could be questioned on both United States goals.
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3/24 Mary Earps – N/A
Unused third-choice goalkeeper, though will hopefully have benefitted from the experience of travelling to a tournament.
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4/24 Lucy Bronze – 8.5 out of 10
England’s best all-round player enjoyed an excellent tournament, only to blemish her record with a muted display in the semi-final.
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5/24 Rachel Daly – 7.5 out of 10
Impressive against Japan, showcasing the depth at Neville’s disposal, but failed to trouble the United States when called upon again in the last four.
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6/24 Alex Greenwood – 6 out of 10
Started well. Never afraid to offer her winger support on the overlap, winning the penalty against Argentina, though her levels dropped for then onwards.
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7/24 Demi Stokes – 6 out of 10
Always felt more defensively reliable than Greenwood, but overwhelmed when trying to contain Tobin Heath and Rose Lavelle down her side against the United States.
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8/24 Steph Houghton – 8 out of 10
The missed penalty will be long remembered, but the England captain was so often making a crucial block or last-ditch tackle at this tournament. Covered for clear defensive frailties.
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9/24 Millie Bright – 5 out of 10
Another member of Neville’s first-choice defence that never appeared truly comfortable playing out from the back. Had to be carried through by Houghton at times.
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10/24 Abbie McManus – 6 out of 10
One of several players that was arguably not used enough, especially given Bright’s struggles, though did not cover herself in glory against Sweden.
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11/24 Leah Williamson – N/A
Only appeared once, as a late substitute with the game already won against Cameroon.
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12/24 Jill Scott – 7.5 out of 10
13 years on from her debut, still England’s best central midfielder. Without her physical presence, the semi-finals would have been a long shot. Will she still be around in 2023?
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13/24 Keira Walsh – 6 out of 10
Too easily overran and failed to dictate the play for too much of the tournament, though redeemed herself in the semi-final.
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14/24 Jade Moore – 5.5 out of 10
Supposedly a more combative and conservative presence than Walsh, though England’s midfield did not look any more stable with her in it.
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15/24 Fran Kirby – 6 out of 10
Finally came to life in the third-place playoff. Of course, by then, it was too late to salvage a disappointing individual tournament for one of England’s most naturally-gifted players.
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16/24 Georgia Stanway – 7.5 out of 10
Excellent on her only start, against Japan. Bringing her on in the 89th minute of the semi-final summed up Neville’s insufficient use of her at this World Cup.
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17/24 Karen Carney – 7 out of 10
Made a telling impact from the substitutes’ bench against Japan. Another who Neville may look back and feel he did not use enough, but has now hung up her boots.
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18/24 Lucy Staniforth – N/A
Like Williamson, her only appearance was as a late substitute against Cameroon.
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19/24 Nikita Parris – 6.5 out of 10
Began brilliantly against Scotland, lively against Norway, but everything either side of those two games was a little underwhelming for the FWA’s Player of the Year.
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20/24 Beth Mead – 7.5 out of 10
Caught the eye in glimpses. Assists against Argentina and the United States stand out. A fiftful presence, but one that should have been trusted more.
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21/24 Toni Duggan – 5 out of 10
Picked up an injury at the start of the tournament and looked off-the-pace in the appearances that followed. Dropped for the semi-final and could have few complaints.
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22/24 Ellen White – 9 out of 10
Brilliant. Tirelessly led the England press off the ball. On it, she made every touch count. Six goals to her name, but sadly no Golden Boot.
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23/24 Jodie Taylor – 6 out of 10
White’s form left Taylor sidelined, though she delivered a crucial winning goal when called upon against Argentina.
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24/24 Phil Neville – 6 out of 10
Introduction of a more progressive style is a positive, but work still to do. Selections and in-game decision-making left much to be desired. Has unquestionably built a strong team spirit.
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“We are getting punished for every little mistake we are making and it’s a wake-up call for us.
“We can have all the possession in the world but the fundamentals still exist in keeping clean sheets and doing jobs you cannot neglect.
“We’ve just got to stick together and believe what we’re doing is right. I can look my players in the eye and they can look each other in the eye.”
Neville will be without midfielder Jill Scott for the game in Portugal after she withdrew with an ankle injury.
City and Everton forwards Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly have been added to the squad, which flew to Portugal on Sunday.
