Gary Lineker gives verdict on latest England shambles after drab Slovenia draw - 'Telling it as I see it'

Lineker has been critical of England during the competition so far, branding them 's**t' after their recent 1-1 draw with Denmark.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, the BBC presenter has now addressed the result against Slovenia.

He feels the first half display wasn't up to scratch - but does believe England improved after the break, despite their failure to score.

“In the second half, I thought you could see that if this team continue to play a high press, chances will come," he said.

"And we may have been playing that way because Slovenia knew that a draw would get them through.

"So they were cautious and sat back a little bit. I understand that. But I saw enough to suggest that England are improving slightly.

JUST IN:Gareth Southgate reacts as England fans throw cups at boss after Slovenia stalemate - 'I need'

“Now, I think there were downsides but I think there were real positives, particularly, I thought, when Cole Palmer came on.

“We were still unbalanced on the left, no question about that, and I thought it was a little baffling that he waited so long for Anthony Gordon to come on, because I think [Phil] Foden was playing there but then he was switching with [Jude] Bellingham and I don’t think that really helped either of them in a way, because they were neither here nor there.

“I’m trying to put a positive spin on it.

"What I did see in the second half was energy and I haven’t seen energy, apart from the first half an hour of the first game, in the other performances.

“England have got through, they’ve won the group. they might play the Netherlands in the next round but they might not.

READ MORE:England have three players that need dropping as Gareth Southgate woes worsen in Slovenia draw

“So, I think there’s enough there in the second half, enough there just to make me think for the first time this England team has some energy, which they hadn’t before.”

Alan Shearer then chipped in to say: “If I was a cynic, one would say one was frightened of getting criticised again.”

But Lineker insisted that wasn't the case and that he was 'telling it as I see it'.

“Me, frightened of being criticised? Never in my life frightened of getting criticised. I’m telling it as I see it," he added.

“I thought the first half was really dreadful and, once again, no high press, occasional couple little bits that were really poor.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

• England boss Gareth Southgate makes Cole Palmer feelings clear after lacklustre Slovenia draw
• Gary Neville sends strong warning to Gareth Southgate after England and Slovenia draw - 'Mismanage'
• Harry Kane risks backlash with questionable comments after England and Slovenia draw - 'Played a lot better'

"I didn’t like the team selection. I thought it was incredibly conservative.”

One player who endured a difficult night was Jude Bellingham.

The Real Madrid star, who recently fired his club to LaLiga and Champions League glory, has failed to make much of an impact since the 1-0 win over Serbia on matchday one.

And Lineker thinks Southgate's tactics aren't helping the 20-year-old, who was seen playing on the left wing at times.

He added: “I think he’s like spoken to Bellingham and Foden and said, ‘Right, OK, you keep swapping. One goes left and then one goes in the 10’.

“But that’s a strange thing to do, isn’t it, throughout the whole game?

“First half, and even in the second half, I thought sometimes Bellingham’s on the left hand side and Jude, he’s had a bad night.

"Having had a great opening game, he’s struggled since. I think he chases lost causes a lot.

“Sometimes, you can seem sprinting. I understand why because he’s so determined to help the team but I think sometimes you got to reserve your energy a little bit.

“But that’s experience. He’s only 20.”