Gareth Southgate has claimed that England should not try to outplay the elite nations at Euro 2012.
The former England defender believes that it is more important for Roy Hodgson's side to be difficult to beat at the tournament.
Southgate said: "I don't think we are in a situation where, as a country, we can go out there and outplay too many teams. We rarely outpossess other countries, so we've got to think logically about how we set up and the best way to get results.
"That's not negative. How did we beat Spain? How did Chelsea get through against Barcelona? In certain games you have to accept the opposition might get more of the ball, so that tends to dictate what you do with your selection.
"While certainly you want to win the first game in the tournament, if you lose it you have a mountain to climb."
England begin their campaign against France next Monday.
Callum Mulvihill
