AFTER DROUGHT IN AUGUST, I WILL REIGN IN SEPTEMBER
Kane laughs off early misses and insists he will hit the target.. starting in Malta
HARRY KANE admits even his England team-mates have been joking about his August goal drought.
Thankfully, England’s game with Malta is tomorrow and Gareth Southgate will be hoping a new month brings better luck for Kane.
The Tottenham striker has failed to score in August in each of the last three seasons – but went on to be the Premier League Golden Boot winner in the past two years.
He twice struck the woodwork in the opening three games, missed chances and yet insists he is not worried.
Rather than watch himself analysed on Match of the Day when he drew a blank against Burnley, he changed channels.
“I didn’t watch it, I was watching the golf,” said Kane. “It is what it is. For some reason the ball doesn’t seem to go in in August. Who knows why?
“The Malta game is on September 1, so we’ve all had a little joke about it – I should be good to go now. But people know I won’t be too worried.
“I’ve had two very good seasons without scoring in August before, so I just need to keep my head down and work hard because I know the goals will come.
“I’ve hit the post twice this season, so I’m getting in the right positions. I’m feeling good and sharp. I’ll have spells like this, but it just seems to be at this time of the year, no matter what shape I’m in.
“I just have to stay mentally focused and do my job – try to score for England in these next two games and go from there.”
England travel to Malta rather than play them at Wembley, which has been an unhappy hunting ground for Spurs so far this campaign. They have a year-long lease on the stadium while White Hart Lane is being redeveloped and lost to Chelsea and were held by Burnley.
England host Slovakia on Monday but Kane insists the Wembley hoodoo, like the goal drought, is not a concern.
Kane said: “It’s over-played. I think we’ve played very well there, but for one reason or another, it hasn’t gone our way yet. We’re not panicking, we know there’s a long way to go. We just have to continue working hard and I’m sure things will turn around.
“I haven’t scored in August, so there’s still room for improvement. But I feel I’m in a good place physically at the moment.”
Former England striker Alan Shearer has come out in support of Kane, who insists the goals will soon flow.
“That’s the life of being a striker,” said Kane. “You will go through spells when you miss chances, you go through spells and deflections go in and everything you touch turns to gold.
“As a striker, you have to stay focused to work hard for the team first and foremost, then I’m sure the goals will come.”
Kane is likely to be named skipper by Southgate. The England boss wanted to delay a decision on who will permanently fill the role, but Wayne Rooney’s international retirement has speeded up the process.