England have comfortably qualified for next summer’s World Cup finals in Russia after securing eight wins from 10 matches, scoring 18 goals and conceding just three in the process.But despite the impressive statistics, the Three Lions’ performances have been far from convincing and the majority of fans are pessimistic for the future - at least in the short term.Gareth Southgate’s side, yet again, flattered to deceive against Lithuania on Sunday afternoon, three days after a painful 1-0 victory over Slovenia at Wembley.Harry Kane scored the only goal of the game in Vilnius, converting a first-half penalty after Dele Alli was fouled inside the box, just as he’d done against Slovenia last week.But this was another uninspiring performance from a group of talented players who all seem to perform much better for their clubs.
Youngest England team for 15 years
In fairness to the players who beat Lithuania, this was a young and inexperienced starting line-up selected by Southgate.
With England already qualified for the 2018 World Cup, Southgate handed opportunities to some of the fringe players to gain some invaluable experience ahead of next summer’s showpiece tournament.
This was the youngest England line-up for 15 years - average age 23.7 - although with the team struggling midway through the second half, 28-year-old Daniel Sturridge was sent on with just under 20 minutes of the match remaining.
Why England fans weren't happy with Daniel Sturridge
The Liverpool forward, however, was blasted by some England fans on social media the moment he stepped onto the pitch.
Why?
Because he was the only England player wearing gloves.
Check out the reaction…
And so on...
Other England supporters defended Sturridge
However, other England fans felt the reaction was totally over the top…
England fans are completely fed up
It’s fair to assume that this wouldn’t have been an issue had England not been so tortuous to watch during the hour and 12 minutes before Sturridge’s introduction.
Fans are fed up with the team’s abject displays and targeting Sturridge for wearing gloves was one way of venting some of their anger.
But in fairness to Sturridge, it wasn’t exactly warm in the Lithuanian capital at the time.
Temperatures were around seven degrees celsius - surely acceptable glove-wearing weather, right?