'We want to show we can be the team that people want us to be'

Rice says England will show different style’ tonight in pursuit of elusive form before the knockout stages

- David Hytner

To listen to Declan Rice in the countdown to England's final Group C tie against Slovenia tonight was to be stirred, inspired. The way that the midfielder told it, the team will be markedly different to what we have seen so far at Euro 2024.

There will be greater freedom of spirit, more energy, a determined front-foot approach that will feature a new pressing style. Rice, recently installed as one of the squad's four leadership group members, hit all the right notes, the exuberance and positivity of his personality shining through.

There was a moment when he reminded every player of why they were here, fighting to do the country proud, resisting the weight of the badge. Because they are the best and they can handle it. "We want to show we can be the team that people want us to be," Rice said.

The words were great and now the question is plain. Can they be backed up on the pitch? And, really, it is a question for Gareth Southgate, the question for the manager, as he works to reshape the narrative after the 1-1 draw against Denmark last Thursday.

The result was fine, taking England to four points after the 1-0 victory against Serbia in the opener, their group-winning destiny in their hands. The performance was not and it has led to meltdown, pundits such as Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer beautifully articulating the problems, cowardly journalists left awestruck by their honesty, their bravery; unable to do anything other than fall into line behind them.