Harry Kane: England are no mugs
Harry Kane has told England's detractors "we're no mugs" as they look to kick-start their Euro 2016 campaign with victory over Wales.
England were well fancied to beat Russia in their opening fixture, but struggled to turn dominance into goals in Marseille, settling for a 1-1 draw after conceding an injury-time equaliser.
That means they have failed to win any of their last five matches at major tournaments, starting with their penalty defeat by Italy at Euro 2012 and taking in their group stage exit at the World Cup two years ago.
Fans may be forgiven for feeling a familiar sense of foreboding heading into the Lens meeting with Gareth Bale and company, but Tottenham striker Kane insists things are not so bad.
"We have got great players, we ain't no mugs," he said.
"We are more than confident. We are not going to let this affect us.
"On another day it could have been three or four nil. We limited Russia to very few chances and we had plenty. We have got to learn from it.
"It wasn't perfect, but I thought there was good stuff, so we have got to take the positives and prepare for Thursday.
"We are a good side so we have got to go out there, play our game, put in a good performance, play our football and hopefully go out there and get a result."
It is often said the other home nations attach more meaning to beating England than vice versa, though the tournament setting means both are playing for points as much as pride.
And Kane, for one, is up for the occasion.
"We know it's a derby. We know how much it is going to mean to us and our fans and everybody involved," said the 22-year-old.
We are looking forward to it. We want to win it.
"They are players I have played against and a lot of players have played against, so it gives us a bit more inside knowledge about what they are like.
"But they have been doing great. They had a great result (beating Slovakia), so they will be full of confidence and we have got to go out there and put things right."
Kane did not have a touch in the opposition box against Russia as debate continued to rage about his use as first-choice corner taker.
Alan Shearer, one of his distinguished predecessors in the number nine shirt and top scorer at Euro 96, suggested on television that Kane should refuse the assignment and insist on poaching in the penalty area.
Social media was ablaze with similar sentiments, but the one voice that matters - Hodgson - remains unmoved.
"He's the best striker of a ball we have and the one who gives us the best delivery," said the manager.
"We've tried many other players and we don't get the same level of delivery we get from Harry.
"We have many players in the penalty area at the moment who are so good at attacking the ball - Wayne Rooney being one who's very good - that we don't necessarily need him there.
"We need him more on the ball taking the kicks because that is the best chance of scoring a goal."