Belfast Telegraph

Repeat of past calamities

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Any such problem will just be the nature of the sport. That will just be football, rather than same old England.

They’ve already broken new ground.

One of Southgate’s most inspired pieces of management so far, after all, has been almost literally bypassing the midfield problem.

There is something rather mechanical about it, a modern version of Greece 2004, but that should not be considered a criticism. It is praise. achieve at senior level in the end for that to be fulfilled. We have a great opportunit­y now to get to the final.”

Jordan Henderson has seen these improvemen­ts firsthand and hailed the “bright” future as those youngsters move towards the senior team.

“I’ve obviously watched younger age groups in the tournament­s, there are some fantastic players

It’s just they haven’t faced a side as good in possession as Croatia yet. That is what Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic will really test.

Get through this, and history might really repeat itself.

England will be in the final for just the second time ever, and one game away from their second World Cup ever. By then, descriptio­n might be very difficult.

It could be tough to find the right words, but there would be no doubt Southgate has found the right system.

 ??  ?? Building blocks: Gareth Southgate wants his side to prove to younger generation­s they can be a successful footballin­g nation
Building blocks: Gareth Southgate wants his side to prove to younger generation­s they can be a successful footballin­g nation
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 ??  ?? Set up: Harry Maguire was the latest to score from a set play
Set up: Harry Maguire was the latest to score from a set play

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