Ivan Toney has revealed that he and Ollie Watkins are still ‘mimicking’ opposition strikers in training, with Harry Kane set to continue as England’s lone frontman.
Former internationals such as Stuart Pearce have said that Kane should be dropped, while Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer were both highly critical of the striker’s movement and involvement in the 1-1 draw with Denmark.
Gareth Southgate, however, is keeping faith with his captain ahead of Tuesday’s game against Slovenia and, so far, has not trialled any alternative attacking combinations at their Blankenhain base.
‘Me and Ollie have been partnering together and just mimicking the opponents,’ said Toney. ‘That is what we do. We do the opposition.’
Has the manager worked on a system with Toney or Watkins and Kane together?
Ivan Toney (front centre) revealed that he and Ollie Watkins have been ‘mimicking’ opposition strikers in training
Toney (right) admitted that Kane (left) did not have his best performance in an England shirt
Watkins (pictured) came on for Harry Kane during England’s 1-1 draw against Denmark last week
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‘No,’ said the Brentford forward. ‘When it comes to it, we will know what we need to do and put it into place when the time is right. We will both be ready for the opportunity.’
Does that mean Toney has accepted his role as understudy?
‘I assume so, but anything can happen in football,’ he said. ‘Things can change, you just have to be ready.
‘It is tough, but you have to stay ready, be ready. Near enough everyone in the team starts with their club, and there is a way to adapt to being a sub or being a non-used sub.
‘There are times I have done it before in my career, when I went to Peterborough and was on the bench. When my chance came, I took it, and hopefully I can do the same if I get a chance here.’
Toney admits he thought Kane was not at his best versus Denmark, but he has defended his team-mate against some of the criticism.
Gareth Southgate (right) is keeping the faith in the England captain ahead of Tuesday’s match against Slovenia
Toney added that he was sure the England captain (pictured) would ‘bounce back’
Toney (left) also revealed that Southgate had not worked on a system that included himself and Watkins (right)
‘He’s not going to have the best of games throughout his career,’ said Toney. ‘He is normal, human, and there will be times where he might not play the best. I felt like the other day he didn’t play the best, but he scored and that’s a striker’s job.
‘He is a top striker, he will bounce back and I’m sure he doesn’t listen to outside noise because he believes in his own ability. Hence why is one of the best strikers in the world.’
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