A small group of England supporters expressed their dissatisfaction with manager Gareth Southgate following a lackluster 0-0 tie against Slovenia in Euro 2024 on Tuesday, throwing empty cups at him. Southgate, whose team topped Group C with five points but only scored two goals in three matches, acknowledged he would face the majority of the backlash but urged fans to continue supporting the players. 'I get it. I'm not avoiding it. The crucial thing is that the fans stick with the team,' Southgate told the media. 'I understand the focus on me is better for the team than it being on them. But it's creating a unique situation to work in. I haven't seen any other team qualify and get similar treatment.' Despite being favorites, England has disappointed fans with three uninspiring performances, failing to achieve their goal of a convincing win on Tuesday that would have propelled them into the knockout stages with momentum. 'The players maintained their composure in a tough game,' Southgate noted. 'Naturally, we'd prefer a couple of goals to make everyone happy. But we were certainly better than our previous match.' England, who were lackluster in their 1-1 draw with Denmark, had 72% possession and completed 694 passes compared to Slovenia's 208, but few of these posed any real threat. There were some encouraging moments in what Southgate and captain Harry Kane deemed their best performance of the three games, with substitutes Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer, and Anthony Gordon providing vital energy. 'The changes we made positively impacted the game tonight,' Southgate said. 'We couldn't find the right pass, the final touch. But we are getting better. I don't think we were suddenly going to score four or five goals. Football doesn't work like that. I saw progress. The goals will come.' Southgate's team might find solace in recent history, having been dismal in a 0-0 draw with Scotland before finishing as runners-up to Italy at Euro 2020. 'You never want to look back and think you didn't win the group and then face tougher matches,' Southgate commented. On a positive note, England, unbeaten in their last 14 European Championship group stage matches since a 2004 loss to France, ended up on the opposite side of the knockout draw from France, Germany, Spain, and Portugal. A crucial factor, according to Southgate, will be maintaining a positive atmosphere in the camp amid criticism before Sunday's last-16 game. 'We've made England fun again over the last three or four years,' he said. 'It's been enjoyable for the players, and we must ensure it remains that way.'