England need fans to get behind them at Euro 2022 and intimidate opponents

Tournament football is all about momentum. England have a great chance to build it quickly at Euro 2022, starting in front of a packed house at Old Trafford against Austria on 6 July. A raucous and intimidating atmosphere throughout the tournament can help Sarina Wiegman’s side secure a host nation triumph.

As a nation, we saw what happened with the great support for England’s men’s team last summer. The fans need to replicate that for the women, to bring that extra bit of motivation to the team. If you look back to the 2017 Women’s Euros in the Netherlands, the home crowds were magnificent; behind their team from the first game to last.

Related: England Women’s squad for Euro 2022: Wiegman’s final 23 – in pictures

I remember playing in the semi-final – it was intimidating, which really helped them and worked against England. The atmosphere they created was epic and the Dutch team went on to win the tournament under Wiegman. England need to make it intimidating for the opposition but positive for our team – who should have nothing to fear – because it could make the difference in the tight games.

England should not require that much extra motivation, with a potential Wembley final the goal for all those involved. It is something they are unlikely to get a shot at again. When I was growing up it was every boy’s dream to play at Wembley – now we are showing it can be anyone’s dream to play there. If this squad can win a major tournament on home soil, it will be life-changing for the team and the sport.

For the players in the England dressing room, there is no need to go on about incentive. If you do not have that, you should not be in elite sport. Everyone knows what is at stake, and the team should harness that emotion.