Alan Shearer says what all Newcastle United supporters are thinking after Anthony Gordon England snub

The Three Lions qualified for the knockout stages as Group C winners with just five points, leading to criticism over their lacklustre performances that fetched an unconvincing win versus Serbia and uninspiring draws against Denmark and Slovenia.

Indeed, Southgate’s side have managed just two goals in the tournament so far, despite an array of attacking talent. One of the biggest frustrations voiced is Southgate’s overlooking of Gordon, who scored 12 goals and provided 11 assists for the Magpies last season.

The 23-year-old was unused substitute for the opening two matches before being introduced in the 89th minute on Tuesday night. And despite his limited time on the pitch, Gordon still managed to create England’s best opportunity when Cole Palmer saw a late shot saved.

England are back in action on Sunday when they return to Gelsenkirchen with the Netherlands - as it stands - likely to be their opponent - and Shearer insists Gordon has to start.

He told The Rest Is Football podcast: “First-half was really poor. He got the selection wrong again in terms of playing Gallagher in the midfield and by his own admission you could tell because he took him off at half-time.

“I thought Mainoo coming on was a positive. He did well. I thought he made his substitutions too late giving Palmer 20 minutes(ish). What has Gordon done against him? I think Gordon did more in two or three minutes on the left-hand side than we’ve shown in two-and-a-half-games with forward passing, a bit of energy, class and know-how.

“What he has tried to do in the first three games hasn’t worked so big changes are needed. For me, he has to play Gordon on the left-hand side.”

What Anthony Gordon has said on his lack game time

Meanwhile, when asked about his lack of minutes, Gordon said: “It’s frustrating because I want to play, I think every player does but it’s difficult because we’ve got so many good players.

“Watching from the sidelines at any game or level is hard as you just want to come on and make an impact. I feel like I did when I come on, I just tried to get at people, be direct and cause problems in the few minutes I got. I’ll always try and do that.”

The former Everton man admits England need to do better if they are to go deep in the tournament.

Gordon added: “Our aim was to make a statement and correct the performances we’ve had in the past two games. I still think we’re in that place, I still think we’ve got to do better. Luckily for us, we’ve topped the group and we’re through, which is the most important thing, but we still need to improve.

“I just think we can do so much better. We’ve got such good players, training is so good every day and we do everything right but it’s just not clicking. Hopefully, in the coming games, it will because we need to start really attacking teams and dominating games.

“I think we’re controlling games really well, we keep the ball well, but being direct, causing problems and going for teams is probably what we’re missing. You seen towards the end we created a really good chance from just going for it and not worrying about losing the ball.”