England defender John Stones believes the Three Lions can kick on after their dramatic victory over Slovakia at Euro 2024, with Switzerland awaiting on Saturday
John Stones has been through some great escapes in his time. And Stones says there is enough experience in the England squad to know they must use Slovakia as a “turning point” to carry them through the Euros.
Manchester City defender Stones even recalled the final day of the Premier League season in May 2022 when they came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 and clinch the title. But Stones also says the know-how of going through previous major tournaments will stand the whole squad in good stead and claims the last gasp comeback against Slovakia will only strengthen their belief.
England centre half Stones said: “I think it is a turning point emotionally to do it in such a high-pressure moment in the last few minutes. I believe it is going to change a lot of things for the team, going through those emotions.
“There is a great picture of us celebrating that goal and all the bench are off and the staff are off their seats in the stands. It shows you that unity as a team.
“When you have done these things you believe even more that you can do better when it gets tough. I have learnt quickly over my career to shut that out.
“Especially after an iconic moment of my career with us playing Aston Villa and scoring goals in final minutes, having the same feeling in that game and trying to use that during the game the other day to get out of that mindset and change it to a positive.
“We believe we really can win and believe we can score. It paid off. I thought we were going home after 60 minutes of the game, and to change the mindset of us all and keep that belief and faith it's got a lot of power behind that, I think, for ourselves, other teams.
“Everyone watching at home knows that we're there to do it right until the last minute. Literally. And I think we should take great confidence from that - that's something that's not easy to do, especially in a high pressure game.
“Understandably, the fans weren't happy with the performance. We recognise that, and I think we use that as fuel to try and go that extra mile and make it count.
“My time I've been here to do it repeatedly every tournament, be there is a big thing for us and we've got to grasp it with two hands and got to get to the next stage.”
Stones, in line for his 77th cap on Saturday, says the players have had meetings since the great escape against Slovakia and are determined to build on the result. England’s performances have been underwhelming so far but they have to use that as a catalyst if they are to go further in this tournament. Stones also says they must draw on previous tournaments to bring back the feel good factor in the camp.
Stones said: “We've got to try and bring that back and that comes with winning, playing well, exciting the nation. We know that they are behind us and that's an incredible feeling in itself but to not be performing at our peak or as good as we know we can be is frustrating.
“That's a point that I’ve made and wanted to get across to everyone that we've got to do better, to keep improving, and progressing in this tournament. This week's been great, seen a shift already. Sometimes in these games, in these tournaments, to win when it is not pretty is a positive.
“I know everyone won’t see that in that way but to get over the line in difficult moments not playing well, only leads us to improve and get better and keep striving to play better and hopefully it'll be a turning point.
“We have team meetings regularly and look back over the game, debrief on it. It's important to do that when we've had tough moments. We can take a lot from it.”