Rio Ferdinand claims England boss Gareth Southgate 'deserves more credit' and insists they CAN win Euro 2024 'playing ugly' - before Jermaine Jenas bites back and says the Three Lions are 'clearly not good enough'

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Rio Ferdinand has insisted that Gareth Southgate 'deserves more credit' for his work with England, despite their struggles throughout Euro 2024. 

The Three Lions topped Group C on five points but delivered three underwhelming displays as they beat Serbia 1-0 and drew with Denmark and Slovenia.

They then teetered on the brink of a shock last-16 knockout, with Jude Bellingham's stunning late equaliser rescuing them against Slovakia before Harry Kane's winner.

Despite all of this, ahead of their clash with Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday evening, Ferdinand insists England's critics 'look at the negatives'.

Speaking on BBC One, Ferdinand said: 'I think things can change very quickly. We're talking about moments changing very quickly. And I think he deserves more credit than he's being given. 

Rio Ferdinand has jumped to the defence of Gareth Southgate amid England's recent struggles

Critics have questioned the tactics and system employed in Southgate's England side 

'In this tournament, yes the team hasn't performed well, but we can all pick apart the structure of the team and individuals, when substitutions are made. 

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'But if you look at it, they've qualified top of the group, they won their first knockout game. His substitutions have impacted games. 

'The last game aswell. Even though everyone shouted "it should have been earlier". Toney comes on and sets up the winner. 

'No one even gives him [Southgate] credit for that. They look at the negatives are. I believe, like everyone else, that we want to see a better performing England team. But they're getting the job done and we can win this tournament playing ugly.'

Despite Ferdinand's passionate defence of England's manager, fellow BBC pundit Jermaine Jenas disagreed and claimed the Three Lions have been close to 'absolute disaster' at Euro 2024.  

The former Newcastle and Tottenham midfielder said: 'I get what you're saying Rio in terms of Gareth, but what we're seeing, it's clearly not good enough. 

'Being top of the group is great, but it was one overhead kick away from capitulation, an absolute disaster. Leaving it to those moments I wouldn't say consists of doing well. 

'There's a lot more to do and we've got the players to do it and we're all just hoping aren't we, praying that they just put in a massive performance tomorrow.'

Jermaine Jenas, however, suggested that England have been underwhelming at Euro 2024

The Three Lions will take on Switzerland in the quarter-finals of the competition on Saturday 

After England's struggles in the early stages of the tournament, Southgate is expected to switch to a back-three in defence. 

The England boss has been so reluctant to make changes so far that he has used only 13 different starting players in Germany, with 10 of those players starting in all four matches.

But change will be thrust upon Southgate on Saturday due to the suspension of centre back Marc Guehi .

Perhaps fearful that Guehi's absence could make England vulnerable against a dangerous Switzerland side, Southgate is considering picking an extra central defender and going back to the 3-4-3 formation that he used throughout the 2018 World Cup in Russia, as well as against Germany and Italy at Euro 2020 .