Thursday 3 September 2015 19:05, UK
Harry Kane is confident his difficult start to the Premier League season will not affect his international form, reports Andy Burton.
As Kane strode into the media room at St George's Park, he looked full of the same confidence and self-belief with which he took to the pitch for Spurs last season.
You wouldn't know from how he looked, or what he said, that this is a man who hasn't scored for his club in the Premier League this season.
A 30-goal season brings with it a forensic analysis of every game, every performance, and as Kane is finding out, every shot off target.
"That was always going to be the case," he explained, when asked about the heightened scrutiny. Then he delivered a reminder of just how late he burst onto the Premier League scene during the previous campaign. "This time last season I wasn't even starting in the Premier League".
It's a valid point. Last season, Kane's first Premier League start came on November 9, against Stoke City at White Hart Lane – although he had already reached double figures after goals in the Europa League and Capital One Cup.
One thing was clear - Mauricio Pochettino could leave him on the bench no more.
Kane didn't score in that Stoke game, and while he did find the net away to Hull City a week later, he couldn't score in the matches which followed against Everton, Chelsea and Crystal Palace. He drew a blank in a European game against Partizan too.
And then came the run. He scored against Swansea, Newcastle, Burnley and Leicester City. Manchester United kept him at bay in the final game of 2014, but New Year's Day saw two goals in that staggering 5-3 win over the eventual champions, Chelsea. From January to March he scored another 15 for club and country.
Kane knows goals come in bunches - and he seems fine with it. "As a striker you're going to have spells where you're on fire and everything you touch turns to gold, and other times it doesn't go your way. I'm very focused and confident in my own ability, and as long as I keep doing my own thing the goals will come."
A dip, almost inevitably followed. April, May, and June (the latter with the England U21 side), were relatively barren months. He scored at St James' Park in April and at Goodison Park in May, yet his much-debated decision to go to the European U21 Championships bore no fruit. Well, at least in terms of goals.
Kane's eagerness to experience a tournament in which he played a key role in England's qualification, brought with it pluses and minuses. His summer holiday was cut short, and time to rest was minimal. However, Kane was able to discover what is involved when you go to a major tournament.
Kane clearly understood the importance of such experience, and didn't want to miss the opportunity. "I made it clear that I wanted to go with the Under-21's," he explained.
"It was a great experience for me. Obviously it didn't go as well as what we wanted, but it was all about learning, and gaining experience. Hopefully I will take that into next year's European Championships. What [being in] the hotel is like. What the games are like every three or four days. The training, preparing for teams when you only have two or three days in which to do it. It has helped me, especially with my international football," he said.
The timing of the San Marino game could be perfect for Kane. No disrespect intended to England's opponents, but England will win. They will score a few goals too. Yes, people will be paying attention to Wayne Rooney's goal haul, and whether or not that makes him England's record goalscorer. But a goal for Kane could be just as important.
Watch highlights of England's European Qualifier away to San Marino on Sky Sports 5 HD at 10pm on Saturday.
