Ivan Toney: Annoyance With Southgate And Emotion Control

Ivan Toney is more confident (Instagram/@ivantoney1).

JAKARTA - Ivan Toney advised his coach, Gareth Southgate, to dare to play two direct strikers.

This method has proven to be the most effective in boosting England's performance at Euro 2024. The proof, through this scheme, the Three Lions avoided defeat to Slovakia in the round of 16.

Incorporating Toney to pair with Harry Kane makes England have many options. This strategy was previously also revealed by Jurgen Klinsmann, which he assessed was the Three Lions effective in playing two strikers.

However, Southgate is stubborn. He didn't even do anything up front and defended Kane, his favorite player.

No wonder that situation made Toney fed up with Southgate. The 27-year-old forward was only put in if England was completely deadlocked in the final minutes of the match.

Just look at Toney's presence in the 94th minute saved England from losing to Slovakia. Even though he didn't score, he made Kane's movement more fluid and both solidly threatened opponents.

Toney's annoyance clearly has a basis. Apart from wanting to do a lot for England, but with a few playing minutes given by Southgate, the Brentford striker wants the Three Lions to trust again that they are still candidates for Euro 2024.

"At the last moments, it feels like, when will I enter? You look at the clock while thinking, now, now."

"Then, the time came. If I don't feel annoyed when I sit on the bench, then I see you don't have the right attitude and don't really want to play football," said Toney.

However, Toney's annoyance has now subsided. Used or not, he could be more sincere. He hopes Southgate is more open.

At least, the 28 player has expressed his frustration and accepted whatever the coach's decision was.

"I think my face says everything! Everything is done now, we are friends, we are happy now and concentrate on the next game," said Toney.

This character is different from last year's Toney, which stumbled on many cases outside of football.

He admitted that he had changed drastically after consulting sports psychologist at Brentford. His frustration is gone and he is now focused on game after game.

"There's a man named Michael Callfield, who always talks about controlling your emotions. That's when it's time to get your emotions under control."

"You have to get out of the mood. You can't play any sport in an angry, upset, or irritated state," said Toney.

Toney's confidence has increased. He deserves to be annoyed to get a little playing time from Southgate.

However, when he was asked to appear, Toney always gave his best. This ambition is very important for England to face Switzerland in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, Saturday, July 6, 2024.

"Everyone has to be careful now. You have to pay attention to your steps and make sure you're not involved in anything".

"I'm a confident person. If I score a goal, I score a goal. I really miss it," said Toney again.