ELLEN WHITE: My message to Alessia Russo? Keep doing exactly what you’re doing and don’t lose faith! Leading the line for England is not easy but crucially, she has Sarina Wiegman’s backing… goals will come in time

My message to Alessia Russo would be a very simple one – keep doing exactly what you’re doing and don’t lose belief in your ability. 

She didn’t get her goal in England’s 1-0 win over Haiti last Saturday but I thought her all-round game was very good. 

England’s run without a goal from open play has stretched to four matches and I know from experience that when your team is struggling for goals, you do take a little bit more pressure on your shoulders as the number nine to end the barren spell.

It’s never easy leading the line for your country. Heading into last summer’s Euros I hadn’t scored for three games and I was being absolutely slated. But the most important thing for Alessia is that she’s got Sarina Wiegman’s backing. 

She’s certainly got mine too. I’ve always rated Alessia, I think she’s a great player. From a former striker’s perspective, there’s a few things that make her stand out for me. She’s got the ability to create a chance out of nothing because her hold up play is so good – she can trap the ball no matter how it comes into her feet. 

Alessio Russo should keep doing exactly what she’s doing and not lose faith in her ability

Russo failed to score during England’s victory over Haiti but her all-round game was very good

This allows her to secure possession and bring other team-mates into the game or turn the defender. That’s when she gets into shooting positions, where she catches goalkeepers off guard by striking the ball early with such a short back-lift.

The service into her does need to improve so that she doesn’t have to keep scrapping to create chances out of nothing. That will come in time as her relationship with the midfielders and wingers develops. 

There were some lovely passages of attacking play from England against Haiti but generally the performance just lacked that cutting edge at both ends of the pitch. That’s bound to be the case when the front and back four have played together as little as they have. But the main thing is they got the three points because the more time this team spends together, the better they will get.

Up next is Denmark on Friday, which is England’s toughest test of the group stage. China made it difficult for them in the opening game and looked set to hold on for a point. It was a really clever tactical change by Denmark boss Lars Sondergaard just after the hour mark which ultimately changed the course of the match. China’s compact shape nullified Denmark’s Pernille Harder, their main attacking threat.

But when Signe Bruun was introduced from the bench, she was able to occupy the defenders and allow Harder to drop a little deeper, giving her more space and time to influence the game. And that’s exactly what she did, setting up Amalie Vangsgaard for Denmark’s 90th minute winner.

Harder is a special player. She’s so powerful but has this wonderful ability to glide with the ball at her feet. England will need to be on their toes as she’s capable of producing something out of nothing. The girls either need to stop the supply into her at the source or get tight to her and give her as little space and time as possible.

Ellen White (pictured) believes the service into her throughout the World Cup must be better

Crucially, Russo holds the support of Sarina Wiegman and can create a chance out of nothing

A touching tribute 

I was really touched to hear that I am one of the England legends honoured by having a room named after them at the Lionesses’ base camp Down Under.

Their hotel in Australia looks even better than where we stayed in Lensbury last summer.

We had a whole section of the hotel to ourselves which included a relaxation room with games and TVs where we’d sit and watch matches, a colouring wall and a coffee station. We were away from it all, which we needed to be. Being the hosts, the noise around us started to get a bit mental as the tournament progressed.

When you’re in meetings or on the training pitch you’re working hard and focussed but being away from home for so long, it’s really important the girls have some down time.

Saying that, I know for a fact that those games rooms can get competitive. Me, Millie Bright, Rachel Daly and Beth Mead were trying to set new highest score on basketball game while some of the other girls played darts.

That space was special as it allowed the players and staff to bond together in a relaxed environment which is an opportunity you don’t often get but it certainly makes a difference to team morale.

White has been honoured after having a room at England’s basecamp named after her

Grassroots inspiration 

I had a great morning at Actonians Girls Football Club last week. They are one of nearly 200 clubs to benefit from National Lottery funding in order to form new girls teams off the back of last summer’s Euros success.

I found myself in a bit of an unusual position on the pitch when a group of girls from the team stuck me in goal… they weren’t messing around either, coming off long run-ups and absolutely leathering it at me! Maybe they were getting some payback for the goalkeepers I used to do that against during my career!

It’s so special to see the number of girls wanting to play football and being given the opportunity. That funding, made possible by National Lottery players, has really opened doors for young girls who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to play for their local team.

National Lottery players raise more than £30million a week for good causes including vital funding into sport – from grassroots to elite. Find out how your numbers make amazing happen at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk 

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