England stars are using the criticism of their Euro 2024 performances from pundits and fans as motivation as Gareth Southgate seeks to build a siege mentality within his squad

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England players are using the hostility towards their Euro 2024 performances to fuel a siege mentality inside the camp.

Some players have become so consumed with the way they are judged by critics and fans that proving their detractors wrong is now a source of motivation.

They have become so fascinated by how they are being received that even traditional player ratings by media outlets, which mark individuals from one to 10, are under increased scrutiny.

Similarly, head coach Gareth Southgate spoke to players ahead of Sunday's 2-1 win over Slovakia about the way their opposition had said their team spirit was superior to England's.

Southgate's side have been heavily criticised for their performances despite reaching the quarter-finals, where they will face Switzerland this Saturday. 

Gareth Southgate sought to fire his players up ahead of the Slovakia game by reminding them of pre-match statements from their opponents

England progressed to the quarter-final after an extra-time win over Slovakia in Gelsenkirchen

Jude Bellingham hit back at 'rubbish' directed at England after his man of the match display

Several players have insisted publicly that they aren't taking notice of the negativity, but Mail Sport understands the criticism is becoming a motivating factor.

Jude Bellingham hit back at the 'rubbish' directed at England after his man of the match display against Slovakia. 

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The Real Madrid star also posted a famous quote from former American president Theodore Roosevelt on Instagram after the game, appearing to take a swipe at England's detractors.

It read: 'It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood.'

Southgate has admitted his players must improve in order to go beyond the quarter-final, saying: 'We know we should be better than we have been.'

On England's team's spirit, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford added: 'We are never-say-die. The character, resilience and for the badge… we are passionate and we want to go all the way but no game is easy. They (Slovakia) took us in the trenches and we've got to keep fighting, which we did.'

Pickford insisted he would be ready to take another penalty against Switzerland, having scored in a UEFA Nations League finals shootout against this weekend's opponents to clinch third place in 2019.

He added: 'I will step up. I'm not the manager but I will practice and I will be prepared. Everyone has got to practice because anyone can be on the pitch at any time.'

Jordan Pickford insisted he would be ready to take another penalty against Switzerland

The England No 1 confidently dispatched an effort against the Swiss in 2019 Nations League

Meanwhile, Sky Sports are reviewing their usage of fan footage and have urged staff to be 'more vigilant' after an England fan was shown on live TV appearing to snort a powder.

Mail Sport understands Sky bosses emailed workers on Monday following the incident, which saw a bearded man perform the act as hundreds of fans in Newcastle's Times Square celebrated Bellingham's overhead kick goal against Slovakia. They have been informed that company policy will be reviewed and that a more stringent approach will be taken when shooting live crowd scenes.