WOMAN OF BRONZE

Tough England defender pulls no punches and admits the Lionesses haven't yet been at their best.... but vows to put things right now

- NEIL MOXLEY

LUCY BRONZE talks as she plays with no nonsense.

So when Barcelona's Champions League winner delivered her verdict on England's showing so far at this World Cup, one thing was for certain: It wouldn't be sugarcoated.

Bronze wears her heart on her sleeve and has been a monumental presence in the Lionesses' success story during the past two years.

When she says England have not played well. They have not.

When she says they are due some respect for reaching the last eight, it is fair.

And now she reckons there is more to come. The country can but hope.

"We can give more," said Bronze. "We are not happy with our performances but we are through to the quarterfinals that's the important thing.

"There's no point playing our best in the first games. We might as well save them for the last eight or further than that.