Sunday 5 June 2016 09:40, UK
Wayne Rooney has dismissed suggestions England need to become more streetwise if they are to enjoy a successful Euro 2016 campaign and says they are prioritising other parts of their game.
Thursday's 1-0 friendly defeat of Portugal highlighted that Roy Hodgson's young team need to further improve and also the innocence some fear may undermine them.
When Bruno Alves' reckless high kick struck Harry Kane in the head, the striker attempted to play on instead of going to ground as many other experienced professionals may have done.
Eric Dier has already spoken of the need for England to learn from other teams' "intelligent edge", but Rooney believes that while such a mentality may prove a bonus, he and his team-mates have greater priorities.
"If you're looking at that, then I think we'd be struggling if we're relying on that to win and go far in the tournament," said the 30-year-old captain.
"It can be a small margin which can benefit you, but the other things we're doing and planning completely out-weigh that. That's a tiny thing you can do better.
"[We need to] more understand the game and manage the game better. It's normal: that comes with experience.
"Whether it's stopping a quick free-kick, or - I'm not saying anything bad about foreign players - but they do it naturally better in terms of staying on the ground a bit longer, and almost making a decision for the referee which we haven't been brought up to do. It's a big difference for us to do that.
"Harry had seen his opportunity, I think if the referee had played on, we might have went on and scored. In the past we've always been an honest team, an honest country.
"We can play better [than we did against Portugal], we can move the ball quicker. [We've had] three wins coming into the tournament but I still feel we have to [do] better."
England begin their Euro 2016 campaign against Russia on Saturday and Rooney is keen for them to make a strong start.
"The first game massive," he added. "It's important we get off to a winning start.
"Everyone says you don't want to lose the first game, but the difference it can make if you win the first game is huge. It's a big game for us now, and we need to go in there and prepare well for it. The lads are buzzing and can't wait."
