We’re into a different stage of our England development and it’s interesting to see how far we’ve come and where we’re at now.
The recent international break was a great time to assess our progress as a squad. What we have noticed is some of the expectations from outside are quite different now. Maybe that is because of the success we have had.
People want to know why we are not winning every match, why we’re not performing brilliantly every match and why we’re playing different players.
The harsh reality is that to combine all those things is not an easy task. We want players to come into the side without vast pressure on them.
We want performances and wins but it is hard to win and perform in every game. All of the things we are trying to adapt mean winning, performing and trying new tactics do not always go hand in hand. It takes time for a new approach to work and it is up to some of the more experienced players like me to get our team-mates up to speed.
There are a lot of things to juggle and we are fine with that. But those on the outside sometimes want more and it’s about managing expectations. I can assure you we are doing our best. We all want to do well for England.
As a team, we have had so many conversations about being a better team and, of course, wanting to win the Euros again next year. We all lift each other up and create a nice environment to be in. We know outside the camp it can be harder for some of the girls.
After we beat South Africa 2-1 last Tuesday, I felt my role was to protect my team-mates when I did my media duties after the game. Coach Sarina Wiegman feels the same, that we need to protect the new players especially.
We have an obligation to speak whether we win, lose or draw and that is something I take seriously but I feel as a senior player it is my duty to put my arm around certain players.
Playing for England is an amazing thing and I want everybody who does it to enjoy it. What England were before and what England are now are two different things. We wanted the extra attention that comes with being European champions and World Cup finalists, of course we did.
But there could be another side to it – that the weight of the shirt is so much more now and for someone like me who has been through it all, I want the girls to just want to come and play for England first and foremost and then enjoy it all, which they all do.
No one benefits if a player is scared or nervous of what someone might say about their performance and these high-profile fixtures we play, such as the 4-3 defeat by Germany at Wembley recently, have brought more eyes and scrutiny upon us.
No player should feel if they put a foot wrong they will be criticised. It’s only human to make a mistake every so often but this is a rollercoaster we have to ride. We understand as reigning European champions we are under the spotlight and fans expect us to win every time we play.
The truth about the Germany loss is their performance to win the game was better than when they played us in the final in 2022 – and that was a close game in itself. We won that day but they could equally have beaten us.
There is a naivety in the thought England will always win. Sarina is asking us to do new, different things in preparation for next summer and now is the time to try that.
Football is not a straight line and that’s why we love it. You have to evolve and sometimes take a step back to move forward. We know we’re good enough to beat any team out there and that’s what matters, and we want to take the fans with us on that journey.
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