Ivan Toney backs under-fire England captain Harry Kane to continue as the Three Lions’ lone frontman, insisting the Bayern Munich striker WILL ‘bounce back’
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Ivan Toney has revealed that he and Ollie Watkins are still ‘imitating’ opposition strikers in training, with Harry Kane set to remain England’s sole frontman.
Former internationals such as Stuart Pearce have said Kane should be dropped, while Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer were both highly critical of the striker’s move and his involvement in the 1-1 draw against Denmark.
However, Gareth Southgate remains loyal to his captain ahead of Tuesday’s match against Slovenia and has not yet tried alternative attacking combinations at their Blankenhain base.
“Me and Ollie work together and just mimic the opponents,” Toney said. ‘That’s what we do. We do the opposition.’
Has the manager worked on a system with Toney or Watkins and Kane?
Ivan Toney (pictured) has revealed he and Ollie Watkins have been impersonating opposition strikers in training
Watkins came on for Harry Kane (pictured) in England’s 1-1 draw with Denmark last week
Despite Kane coming under fire for his performance against Denmark, Gareth Southgate (right) retains confidence in the England captain ahead of Tuesday’s match against Slovenia
“No,” said the Brentford striker. “When push comes to shove, we will know what to do and implement it at the right time. We will both be ready for this opportunity.”
Does this mean Toney has accepted his role as understudy?
“I guess so, but in football anything can happen,” he said. ‘Things can change, you just have to be ready for it.
‘It’s tough, but you have to stay ready, be ready for it. Almost everyone on the team starts with their club, and there is a way to adjust to being a sub or an idle sub.
“There have been times when I’ve done it earlier in my career, when I went to Peterborough and was on the bench. When my opportunity came I took it and hopefully I can do the same when I get the chance here.”
Toney admits he didn’t think Kane was at his best against Denmark, but has defended his teammate against some of the criticism.
Toney (right) admitted Kane (left) did not enjoy his best performance in an England shirt
Toney urged Kane (pictured) not to listen to those who criticized him, adding that he was confident the England captain 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 games throughout his career,” Toney said. “He is normal, human, and there will be times when he might not play the best. I had the feeling the other day that he wasn’t playing the best, but he was scoring and that’s the job of a striker.
“He is a top striker, he will bounce back and I am sure he will not listen to outside noises because he believes in his own ability. That’s why he’s one of the best strikers in the world.”