‘PHIL NEEDS ROAR POWER’

PHIL NEVILLE should be given more time to turn around England’s slump in fortunes – but the former Manchester United man needs to do it quickly.

That’s the view of former women’s great Kelly Smith, who watched with pride as the Lionesses roared into a World Cup semi-final last summer.

Since that last-four clash with the USA – which Neville’s side lost 2-1 in Lyon – England’s fortunes have plunged.

A 2-1 defeat to Germany in front of a largest-ever home crowd at Wembley in November was their fifth loss in just seven matches.

It’s a run that Neville (above) has branded unacceptable. And, if it continues, it could cost him his job.

“You can understand why he’s under pressure because of the way the women’s game is now,” said Smith, who won 117 England caps.

“It’s in the media a lot more and results haven’t been where they should be. I still think he’s the right person for the job.

“He showed that the team is very much together and they did perform very well in the World Cup.

“You’re always going to have a lull after the World Cup and it’s lasted a little longer than expected.

“But the players he has to pick from, they’re going to get it together at some point soon and show us what they’re made of.”

That upturn can’t come quickly enough, with the

Olympics in Tokyo just around the corner.

England’s last appearance at the Games came back in 2012, when a side containing Smith were knocked out at the quarter-final stage by Canada, in Coventry.

Having qualified as a result of their stunning World Cup run, Team GB will go into the Olympics as one of the favourites.

It’s a tag that Smith believes they deserve.

“You look at England, USA and Germany and you’d say they were the top three sides in world football,” she said.

“Add France and you’ve got four sides that are capable of beating each other on any given day.

“England have a great chance to win a trophy – and Team GB have a great chance of winning gold in Tokyo.”