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England's Andros Townsend: I'll answer critics on pitch

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Andros Townsend says he's not fazed by critics following what he's described as his 'stop-start' year for Tottenham

Andros Townsend intends to do his talking on the pitch next season after a "stop-start" year.

The Tottenham winger goes into England's upcoming games against Republic of Ireland and Slovenia on the back of a season which brought just 10 Premier League starts.

But he was named in Spurs' Capital One Cup final team and remained a Roy Hodgson regular, scoring in a 1-1 draw in Italy at the end of March.

Townsend's response to that goal was a public tweet reminding his followers his selection had been questioned by critics including Sky Sports expert Paul Merson - a response he will not be repeating.

"From now on, I'm going to focus on doing my talking on the pitch," he told Sky Sports News HQ. "As a footballer, you always get critics whether you're Ronaldo, Messi or myself. All you can do is answer your critics on the pitch."

We've seen over the years in training how good he (Kane) is at finishing. Hopefully next season, he can go on to the next level and help us achieve something.
Andros Townsend on Harry Kane

Townsend's focus now is on negotiating the international programme and pre-season without picking up an injury.

"Hopefully I can come back raring to go, fully fit and hit the ground running as I did two years ago," he said. "If I'm playing for my club, it means I'm playing well. If I'm playing well for my club, the England stuff will come out of that."

Townsend's Tottenham team-mate Harry Kane made his debut in that Italy game, and the striker's rise to prominence this season came as no surprise at White Hart Lane.

"We've seen over the years in training how good he is at finishing," Townsend said. "Hopefully next season he can go on to the next level and help us achieve something."

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