Sturridge: We will be better and we will excite people
'We will excite people' insists Daniel Sturridge as England prepare for a knockout clash with Iceland at Euro 2016 on Monday night.
Despite dominating their final Group B match against Martin Skrtel’s Slovakia, the Three Lions could not produce a breakthrough and a goalless draw meant second place.
Sturridge had previously bagged a precious stoppage-time winner over Wales to help ensure Roy Hodgson’s team would be joining those in the last 16 in France.
The Liverpool striker believes England have learned from their experiences in the opening three games and are now ready to step up the performance levels.
“If you defend well in 90 minutes, fair play to you,” he told the BBC. “And against Slovakia, they defended very well so we have to give them credit.
“Playing in a game like that, you have to be on song – and we weren’t on song. As much as we say we had the possession, we weren’t as good as we can be.
“We’re going to be better; we will be creative, we will score goals, we will excite people, we will have the fans with a smile on their face. Slovakia was a lesson.”
Iceland also won once and drew twice during the first stage of the tournament, finishing above Portugal in Group F to book a meeting with England in Nice.
Sturridge added: “They have done amazingly to get here. That’s why we can’t disrespect them.
“But we understand going into this game, if we play as well as we possibly can, we’ll win the game.”