England’s anxious World Cup opener against Haiti will have done them no harm but Millie Bright and Keira Walsh must step up against Denmark

It won’t have appeared prefer it on the time, however England’s first World Cup match towards Haiti can have executed them no hurt.

Earlier than the sport I stated that you’d take factors over efficiency and though we could have anticipated a extra snug victory, we acquired the three factors.

There have been some anxious moments and goalkeeper Mary Earps performed an enormous function. It was an enormous take a look at for the gamers. There have been patches when Haiti had been the higher aspect and we didn’t attain the requirements which have been set. That isn’t a foul factor. It would have saved England grounded.

We’re the European champions and the remainder of the world is trying to us and that brings stress.

Lots of people have used the phrase underwhelmed however the win gives us a platform to construct on and I’m certain we are going to.

Earlier than the sport I stated that you’d take factors over efficiency and though we could have anticipated a extra snug victory, we acquired the three factors

There have been some anxious moments and goalkeeper Mary Earps (above) performed an enormous function

It acquired fairly noisy within the BBC Sport studios the place I watched the sport. There have been a couple of former England gamers in there, Ellen White was with me and we tried to cheer the workforce on from 12,000 miles away.

Though we received it was irritating for lengthy intervals — you possibly can’t sugar coat it.

Forward of the Denmark recreation there was numerous speak about Pernille Tougher and that’s comprehensible as a result of she is unbelievable. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see the place she performs. In Denmark’s first recreation she was extra of a focus. I don’t suppose that fits her. She likes to be within the area between midfield and defence.

England’s organisation can be key right here, as will their communication.

The workforce must know the place she is. Centre half Millie Vivid will clearly play an enormous function, as will defensive midfielder Keira Walsh as she tries to cease the passes stepping into to Tougher. England can win this recreation by how nicely they press and the way organised they’re.

Millie will know Pernille nicely from their days at Chelsea and that could be a large benefit. When you have educated collectively and performed collectively precisely what she will do. This gives better perception than you could have into lots of your different opponents.

Millie’s power and physicality can be key. She won’t again out of a problem. She will be able to undoubtedly use that to place Tougher off. She will even attempt to get inside her head, which is less complicated if your opponent.

One of many pleasing issues up to now has been the extent of media curiosity.

Forward of the Denmark recreation there was numerous speak about Pernille Tougher (above) and that’s comprehensible as a result of she is unbelievable

Centre half Millie Vivid will clearly play an enormous function, as will defensive midfielder Keira Walsh

If you happen to return to the 2019 World Cup you solely acquired this degree of consideration on the quarter-finals and semi-finals. It simply reveals how a lot the sport as grown.

I additionally suppose that individuals now simply see it as one other England workforce, which is nice. That’s the place we wish it to be.

I’ve been in contact with a couple of of my team-mates. It’s arduous as a result of you don’t want to intrude however you do need them to know you’re fascinated with them and that you’re behind them. I spoke to Chloe Kelly after the Haiti recreation and he or she confirmed me her shin which was fairly nasty.

England know we’re backing all of them the way in which.