Former Three Lions star Terry Fenwick has backed Dan Burn to play his part for England at the World Cup.
The 6ft 7in centre back was an unused substitute in the 4-2 win over Croatia in the opening game in Dallas, as John Stones was preferred by Thomas Tuchel. But Fenwick reckons the Newcastle battler can show his quality in the US despite being handed a watching brief so far.
Burn told Chronicle Live in Dallas that he was relaxed about his chances and would wait for his opportunity.
‘I’d love to see Dan Burn start’
Fenwick, now based in Trinidad and Tobago running the Football Factory project, told Chronicle Live: “I’d love to see Dan Burn start because he’s a big, strong and no nonsense player.
“Teams won’t get away with anything with Dan Burn. Not just defensively, but attacking wise, he is always a threat in the opposition box. I have been disappointed with some of the set plays we’ve seen at the World Cup.
“There have been many poor deliveries. I’m just looking at Declan Rice for England, who delivers quality. Burn could benefit from that.”
North East lads will stand up
Fenwick believes that just like the days of himself and Bryan Robson showing their class for England, the current North East representatives are valuable to the Three Lions.
“The three North East lads will stand up and be counted. We had Bryan Robson, who stood up and was counted back then, with me.
“I think lads like Jordan Pickford, Dan Burn and Jordan Henderson are like that too. They all play their part.”
England’s strongest side in years
Fenwick believes that the only team that can beat England at this World Cup are themselves. Forty years on from that fateful encounter with Diego Maradona in Mexico City, Fenwick feels England have what it takes to finally end the wait to reclaim the World Cup.
“I think this is the strongest England side we’ve had in years. I think we will get through the group stage comfortably and then at the knockout stage we need our top men at the top of their game. If they are, we have a real chance.
“What has lifted me more than anything is watching the games so far. Spain look average, Belgium have world class players and they have been average and the same with Brazil and Argentina.
“I think with this England team, we are bigger, better, stronger and quicker.
‘Kick, bollock and bite’
Fenwick is also a fan of manager Thomas Tuchel’s approach.
“I think we have everything necessary, and now we have a manager in Thomas Tuchel who is kick, bollock and bite!
“If you aren’t doing it, he will haul you off, and we have needed somebody with that ferociousness around them who won’t take second best.
“He wants this England team up there and I think they can get there. We have some players who can upset other teams. Harry Kane scores goals wherever he goes; now he just needs a supporting cast around him.”
‘Let’s do it this time, lads’
Fenwick, who won 20 caps for his country, will return to the US for the knockout games and is backing England to go all the way.
“I might be from Seaham Harbour originally, but I’m singing my heart out for England this summer. I think we can go far, the bars in the Caribbean are already sick of me singing Three Lions because I think it can come home.
“Hopefully I come home and we are world champions. Let’s do it this time, lads.”
The bottom line
Burn is waiting. Fenwick is backing him. Tuchel is watching.
The Newcastle defender hasn’t had his chance yet. But the calls are growing louder.
A no nonsense centre back for a knockout tournament. It might just be what England need.
Let’s do it this time, lads.
