Rebecca’s new breed of Lion

ALFIE MAWSON claims this England team will not crumble under pressure as the woman behind their bid for glory has created a much tougher Young Lion.

The Swansea defender reckons sports psychologist Rebecca Symes is helping to prove that this generation does not fit the stereotype of the mentally-weak England flop. Symes is also in line for a promotion, with Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate considering using her to work with the seniors at next summer’s World Cup. Mawson, who hauled England level on their way to beating Slovakia, said: “She is a vibrant, positive soul and wants to pass on positivity, which is what we need. “Personally, she said to me the other day, ‘Remember three things you do when you play well, when you’ve had a good game’. “It depends on where you play. For me it might be a block or a positioning thing. Centre-forwards could think of the way they have struck the ball for a goal, or a good run. “Little things like that to creep into the back of your mind. “You don’t over-think them, they are there subconsciously. Some of the lads have had chats with her. “The little details, the percentages add up. It might be the media putting ® from PAUL BROWN pressure on and firing up off that. Little things to get a win.

“We could easily have crumbled at 1-0 down but we stuck to the task and passed with flying colours.

“We just feel we have the strength of character and the personalities to overcome when we are up against the wall.

“People might say the English can’t hack it but we showed that there is a breed of players coming through that are progressing the right way.”

Symes, who runs the Sporting Success company and has been to two Paralympic Games, is a regular at training here in Kielce and is heavily involved in the team’s preparations.

Accused

She was brought in by boss Aidy Boothroyd after the Under-21s failed to get out of their group at the last finals and could now go with the seniors to Russia.

Southgate wants a psychologist with him for the World Cup and Symes is in the frame to replace Steve Peters because she is already a well-respected part of the set-up.

England have long been accused of mental fragility in big tournaments but showed character to get out of a hole against Slovakia.

They will go through to the semifinals as Group A winners with a victory tomorrow over hosts Poland, who have yet to win a game.