England 16-9 Argentina, Twickenham, November 15
Borthwick pleads for patience
Scrum.com
November 16, 2009
England captain Steve Borthwick consoles team-mate Ugo Monye, England v Argentina, Twickenham, England, November 14, 2009
England captain Steve Borthwick consoles team-mate Ugo Monye after his forgettable performance at Twickenham © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Steve Borthwick | Martin Johnson | Ugo Monye

England captain Steve Borthwick has assured fans that his side are determined to right the wrongs of their latest abject performance against Argentina.

The hosts laboured to a lacklustre 16-9 victory over the Pumas at Twickenham to get back to winning ways after a disappointing defeat to Australia the previous week but their display did little to silence the side's growing number of critics.

The All Blacks are the next visitors to England's HQ and manager Martin Johnson has already warned his side that they will be in "big trouble" on Saturday if they deliver a repeat showing. But Borthwick remains positive and insists his side will improve enough to at least be competitive.

"I can understand the frustration," said the England skipper. "We must continue to strive for improvement. New Zealand is a huge challenge and one that excites me and everyone in this squad.

"Do you honestly think that anybody will look at that game more critically than we do as players? When you feel frustration watching the game, do you feel anyone feels that frustration more than the players?

"When you feel joy because we have scored a fabulous try, does anyone feel the joy more than the players?"

Johnson also knows that unless England conjure a remarkable turnaround in form in the space of six days they will be put to the sword by the All Blacks.

"If we make those same mistakes we will be in big trouble against the All Blacks," said Johnson. "For all the things we didn't do well against Argentina, we ultimately won. I would take those mistakes with a win next week - but I don't think that will happen."

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