Pressure is Marines who have lost limbs… we’re just a bunch of mates going to play in a World Cup
SAYS GARETH SOUTHGATE
Gareth Southgate took the opportunity of the eve of england’s final warm-up game to challenge a couple of World Cup myths.
One was boredom, and the bleating that has gone on in the past about professional footballers struggling to occupy themselves when representing their country at the biggest sporting event on the planet.
england’s manager called it ‘nonsense’, revealing how he would pass the time at euro ’96. ‘We had a scone with clotted cream at 4 o’clock every day, until they banned the cream,’ he said with a smile.
they played cards too. ‘hearts,’ he said, conceding that it was not exactly a rock ’n’ roll existence and not nearly enough to amuse Gazza. David Seaman, he said, would have to take him fishing.
But his point about the apparent monotony of a major tournament remained. ‘It’s a big red herring,’ he said. ‘ My old physio at aston Villa used to say, “Only boring people get bored”.’
he was less dismissive about pressure at a World Cup, but being an astute man-manager, Southgate brought in outside help this week to challenge that perception too.
‘My belief as I get old is pressure is what you perceive it to be,’ he said. ‘Very often it is influenced by what you read or watch or indoctrinate your mind with. What is it really?
‘We had some guys in from the Marines yesterday who had lost limbs in different situations. What is the pressure on us? We are going to play for england, going to a World Cup, which is the highlight of anyone’s career, with a group of mates. It is fantastic.
‘We’ve had this relationship with the Marines since last year. We asked one of their guys to run a session with the players. Part of that was working with three of his colleagues who served with him and had incredible injuries.
‘they spent some time with us as a group of staff and players, and then they spent some time with the players on their own, talking about different things which I’m not in the loop on.
‘they give huge perspective on what we’re involved in. I’m keen not to overdo the military link, but there are some comparisons in representing your country and the pride in that. But also standing by the bloke next to you.
‘In situations like ours, the guy next to you is as important as anything else; making sure you work with them. It had a big impact on the group. It’s also good for us to step out of our world at times.’
even so, he revealed the identity of the ‘leadership group’ who provide support for some of the younger players within the squad. as well as harry Kane, Jordan henderson and eric Dier — players he has selected as skipper — ashley Young and Fabian Delph now make up that quintet.
With the flight to russia less than a week away, Southgate looks fairly content. Indeed, sitting last night in the modest surroundings of the West riding County Fa ground, he appeared very relaxed.
he will take the opportunity against Costa rica this evening to play a second-string side that enables players who did not get on against Nigeria last weekend to enjoy some game time.
and he confirmed, to the delight of spectators in Leeds, no doubt — among them special Fa guests Norman hunter, Paul reaney, allan Clarke, Mick Jones, Danny Mills and Nigel Martyn — that five Yorkshiremen will feature in his starting line-up — presumably Danny rose, Delph, harry Maguire, Jamie Vardy and Kyle Walker.
‘there will be quite a few changes from Saturday,’ he said. ‘But I’m not worried about consistency in the team. every day we train the players to the tactical system, swapping three in and three out, so they have to know their roles.
‘there are some players tomorrow who we believe can definitely feature in the first game, and others like trent ( alexanderarnold) and Delph who we are tempted to see.’
henderson will return, and an interesting admission Southgate made last night concerned how he might select both the Liverpool skipper and Dier if he revisits the option of playing Jesse Lingard and Dele alli in the formation he employed last weekend at Wembley.
england’s manager said there could be games in russia when either henderson or Dier start on the bench.
Southgate, of course, knows all about that. the last time england played at elland road he was picked alongside Sol Campbell in a friendly against Italy they lost 2-1. a few months after that match in March 2002 he did not get a kick at the World Cup.
Southgate would argue that even then he did not get bored but he reflects more fondly on the games he played in. ‘Great experiences,’ he said of that Italy match. ‘It’s a balance of the prestige of a national stadium against being able to go to the heart of the communities that support england and allow them to connect with the team. tomorrow is a chance to do that.’