Southgate calls on the fans to cheer not jeer
England manager insists players are proud to wear shirt
ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate has slammed accusations his players are unpatriotic after they were booed by their own supporters in Malta.
Speaking yesterday, Southgate revealed he has known players who have refused to play for the Three Lions — but he insists the current crop are fully committed to the cause. The manager’s comments come in the wake of a difficult night for his players after they were barracked by large sections of fans who made the trip to Malta for Friday’s 4-0 win — the majority of them leaving well before the final whistle.
England toiled for much of the game, before three late goals put a flattering spin on the scoreline.
Southgate said: ‘Is it (fans’ criticism) helpful for the team? I don’t see how it can be helpful for the team. But we have to get on and perform as we did and play through it. What I hope is the fans really get behind us.
‘There’s nothing better than playing in your own stadium and feeling the fans are a huge advantage for you and intimidating the opposition. That’s what supporting is all about.
‘I understand our job is to entertain and excite the supporters. But we want to get to a World Cup. The notion the players aren’t proud to play is outrageous, really. They’re unbelievably proud to play.
‘Yes, they might not play as well as they’d like to sometimes, but there’s no one not giving 100 per cent.
‘To be successful is going to mean more if we are all in it together. That is the pride of playing for England.
‘The easiest thing in the world would be to pull out, but we picked 28 players and 28 turned up. That’s a really good sign, and it hasn’t always been the case. It’s a shame the guys who come get stick, and the guys who duck out escape.
‘I’ve played in teams where people were there every time, and others weren’t. It’s not important who those players are.
‘But that’s why some people get 50, 60 or 70 caps and others, who may be good players, don’t. The important ones are those who get the 70 caps.’
Harry Kane is certainly a player whose commitment isn’t in question. After a slow start to his international career, the Tottenham striker has found his feet, scoring five goals in three games.
And Southgate believes that in Kane, England have a player the world look at enviously — even Spain. ‘I was having some interaction with [Spain manager] Julen Lopetegui at a game where he was commenting on how lucky I was to have Harry playing,’ said Southgate.
‘Harry’s got the mentality to want to be the best. He knows how many goals in how many games he’s had, and also how many Ronaldo and Messi had at this point. He’s driven to be one of the world’s best.’
Meanwhile, Southgate has confirmed his squad will remain on international duty for an extra day this week.
Usually, players head back to their clubs immediately after England matches. But — as revealed in Charles Sale’s Sports Agenda last week — Southgate will spend tomorrow with his squad for a full debrief of tonight’s clash with Slovakia.
‘ Everything that surrounds the game, what we might pick up from it, needs reviewing,’ said Southgate. ‘With England, going back to when I was a player, the game finishes, I get two minutes with the team, then the media conferences, see the family and then go home.
‘There’s no opportunity for any reflection or to discuss the game properly until a month or maybe three months later.
‘We’re only following a process that we think is right.’