Former England star Darren Anderton has criticised fans who threw cups at Gareth Southgate as Sunday night's crunch Euro 2024 clash with Slovakia looms.
The Three Lions were held by Slovenia earlier in the week, with England forced to settle for a 0-0 draw.
In the aftermath of the clash, angry England fans threw plastic cups in the direction of Southgate.
He responded at his post-match press conference by urging supporters to get behind the team, though admitted their frustrations are 'understandable'.
England boss Gareth Southgate will be hoping to please fans with a win over Slovakia at Euro 2024 on Sunday
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And Anderton, who played alongside Southgate for England, has now criticised disgruntled supporters for overstepping the mark.
"This isn’t right by any means," he exclusively told GB News, via William Hill.
"Fans must back the team and can’t do this.
"England have topped the group and this was the main objective.
"Gareth is a very calm person and he wouldn't let this affect him."
Southgate believes the negativity of supporters is creating an 'unusual environment' for the rest of the squad.
Anderton thinks it is a 'strange' situation for the Three Lions as they look to win the Euros for the first time, especially given how they finished top of their group.
"Yes as England have topped the group," he said when asked if Southgate was right with his comments.
"Look at France who haven't topped the group and are now on the tough side of the draw.
"So it is strange but the expectation is so high for England."
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Aston Villa star Ezri Konsa, meanwhile, has revealed some family members were hit with drinks during the goalless draw with Slovenia.
But he says England players will 'move on' from the unsavoury scenes, while also saying the reaction towards Southgate 'wasn't nice'.
"Some of our family members got hit with a few drinks," he said.
"We were aware but we haven’t spoken about it as players.
"We know that in football stuff like that happens. We try not to think about it too much so we move on.
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England boss Gareth Southgate is currently preparing for Sunday's crunch Euro 2024 showdown with Slovakia
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“We check on them. There’s kids in the stands with family so we always have to check on them, reassure them and ask if they’re all right.
"But it’s part of the game, it happens and we try not to think about it too much.
“It wasn’t nice. But there’s a lot of players with a lot of experience who have experienced it before at club level.
"We know what to expect from fans. Sometimes it’s always up and down. It’s part of the game.”
Konsa also admits England can improve, having underwhelmed in Germany so far this summer.
England boss Gareth Southgate played alongside Darren Anderton for the Three Lions
PA
“We know we can play better. We know that certain performances haven’t been our best level," he continued.
"But we always try and give it our best. We’re not going out to try and play badly on purpose.
“Sometimes in football it goes your way and sometimes it doesn’t. "But we’re ready for Sunday now. Our main focus is to get the win on Sunday and that’s it.”
