England’s history of ineptitude a heavy burden
Southgate’s crew trying to erase negative image
LONDON — England has booked its place at next year’s World Cup, but its chances of making an impact in Russia are slim if recent history is anything to go by.
Gareth Southgate’s side wrapped up its successful Group F campaign with a 1-0 victory in Lithuania on Sunday, extending England’s unbeaten record in qualifiers to 39 matches.
But Southgate should take only minimal encouragement from that, as England has often eased through qualifying before plummeting to ignominious exits from the actual tournament.
Here’s a look at lessons to be learned if England hopes to exceed expectations in Russia:
Support slump
In the 51 years since England won the World Cup on home soil, the national team’s reputation has been tarnished so badly that fans turned their back on it when qualification was clinched against Slovenia on Thursday.
With Wembley barely half full, England endured the indignity of supporters becoming so bored with the lame display that they took more pleasure in throwing paper airplanes onto the field and cheering pitch invaders.
At the final whistle, England’s players went through the motions of celebrating their place in Russia against a backdrop of empty seats as fans trudged to the exits.
It was a far cry from the heady days of Euro 96 and the 1990 World Cup, when the team enthralled a nation with its runs to the semifinals.
Southgate knows how important it is to restore unity between the country and his team.
“We’re in an era where it must be difficult for the supporters to relate to players because of what they earn and all of the hullabaloo that is around them. But these are good kids, desperate to play for England,” he said.
Class concerns
Past England managers have been able to call on far more star-studded lineups than the current crop available to Southgate, but picking household names has been no guarantee of success.
In the Sven-Goran Eriksson era, the likes of Steven Ger- rard, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Wayne Rooney were all among the best players at their clubs, with some boasting Champions League winner’s medals in their trophy cabinets.
Southgate has a much less seasoned squad, with even leading stars Harry Kane and Dele Alli, of Tottenham, yet to win a club prize and Marcus Rashford just beginning to fulfil his potential with Manchester United.
Eriksson’s gilded group never made it past the last eight at any major international tournament, but at least it flirted with greatness.
Southgate has inherited a generation that seems to regard international duty as an unwanted chore, and changing that mindset will be a crucial factor in shaping long-term success.
“We have it to prove. No problem, these guys are hungry to prove it,” Southgate said optimistically.
Media minefield
Having missed one of England’s penalties in its Euro 96 semifinal loss to Germany, Southgate infamously took part in a television commercial mocking that painful moment as he wore a paper bag over his head to hide his identity.
If England fails as badly as it has in its past two tournaments, Southgate would do well to keep an even lower profile.
England managers adjudged to have let the country down have been lampooned by the tabloid press and their careers rarely recover from the trauma.
Graham Taylor found his face superimposed on a turnip, Steve McClaren was ridiculed as the ‘wally with the brolly’, while Eriksson, Fabio Capello, Roy Hodgson — all highly respected coaches before they managed England — left bemoaning the acerbic jibes of the media.
Spells as Middlesbrough boss and England Under-21 coach have done little to prepare Southgate for the toxic atmosphere that can envelop the national team, but he insists he can cope.
“They might find it difficult to find much love for me with my history with England, but I’ve managed to shoulder that for 20 years!” he said.
We’re in an era where it must be difficult for the supporters to relate to players because of what they earn and all of the hullabaloo that is around them.” Gareth Southgate, England manager
Bereft of belief
England has reached the quarterfinals at a major tournament only once in its past five attempts and that Euro 2012 run ended with a forgettable loss to Italy.
With so little to cheer in recent years, England fans have almost abandoned all hope and that should take a little pressure off Southgate in Russia.
“People probably are going to be cynical,” England goalkeeper Joe Hart said.
“It’s our job to change that. The only way to do that is by doing well at a tournament.”