It’s just net good enough from Sterling & Co says Supermac
MALCOLM MACDONALD has issued a heartfelt World Cup plea on behalf of the nation: “For God’s sake, give Harry a helping hand.”
Supermac, who netted all five goals for England in a 5-0 battering of Cyprus at Wembley in 1975, is worried that without Harry Kane’s golden boot Gareth Southgate’s men will come up short in the scoring department.
Kane got a double in the 2-1 opening victory over Tunisia but both Raheem Sterling and Jesse Lingard were guilty of missing glorious chances.
And that is a major worry for former Newcastle and Arsenal striker Macdonald (right) as England prepare to face Panama today.
He said: “I think Kane is the making of a rather ordinary side. He’s the only jewel in the crown but look at how many chances his team-mates missed against Tunisia.
“Some of those misses were woeful.
“I like the way England are set up at the back but those defenders who are doing a sterling job must be looking 40 yards upfield and thinking, ‘Come on, take the pressure off us’.
“The best way to do that is for Kane’s supporting act to get us two or three goals.
“I still toss around in my head whether Sterling is that good or whether he’s only benefitting from being in a brilliant side like Manchester City. “It’s when he comes out of that truly amazing side that he doesn’t look a threat.
“I saw him lose the ball a hell of a lot against Tunisia and he needs to calm down and get playing – if he’s picked.
“There’s a big worry about who is going to get the goals to progress in the tournament. “Someone has to say, ‘Hey, Harry, move over in front of goal. There’s two of us and I’m having a go’. “Let’s have someone else stepping up and start scoring.”