SOUTHGATE: THAT WAS A CHASTENING EXPERIENCE

GARETH SOUTHGATE vowed to take inspiration from Sir Bobby Robson after England fans turned on him and his players following their humiliation against Hungary — their worst home defeat since 1928. Southgate was taunted with chants of ‘sacked in the morning’ and ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’ as England collapsed to a thumping 4-0 defeat at Molineux and the manager insisted he will handle the flak coming his way.

The record-breaking hammering — the first time England had lost a home match by four or more goals without scoring — rounded off an international break to forget for the Three Lions which has left Southgate seriously feeling the heat.

Southgate said: ‘I knew the role before I took it. I would say it (the fans’ opinion of him changing) has happened over 10 days not 11 months but I saw all my predecessors go through that.

‘I know great people like Sir Bobby Robson, what he had to go through, and how he was viewed in the end on getting the team to a World Cup semi-final.

‘Football is emotional, people pay to come and watch, and will give an opinion. The team weren’t able to deliver tonight, that’s my responsibility so if the flak comes my way I have to deal with that.

‘It’s not realistic to have the ride I’ve had for five years and not have bad nights, difficult nights, criticism, that’s part and parcel of the job. I understand tonight is a chastening experience.’

England have failed to win any of their four Nations League games, lost both matches against Hungary and the only goal they scored was a Harry Kane penalty.

‘This group of players have been unbelievable for their country,’ said Southgate. ‘It’s important people stick with them as they’ll be strong moving forward.’ Southgate made nine changes to his starting XI, made further attacking switches as he chased the game and held his hands up for what followed.

But he also warned that the less-experienced players given opportunities in the last 10 days had blown their opportunity to impress him.

He said: ‘We picked a young team with energy and when the game started to go against them it started to look that way. That’s my responsibility at the end.

‘We’ve seen we have to be at full strength and it was an important experience for lots of young players over these games.’