TIME TO DELIVER
ENGLAND BOSS SOUTHGATE URGES LINGARD AND CO TO KNOCK OVER POLES. IT’S . . .
GARETH SOUTHGATE has told his young squad it’s time to deliver as England aim to take a giant step towards World Cup qualification tonight at Wembley. The Three Lions boss has ordered his players to become more streetwise in search of a win over Poland that would move them five points clear at the top of Group I.
England are blessed with some of the most promising young players in European football, but face a major test tonight, even though the visitors are without injured striker Robert
Lewandowski. Southgate said: ‘I think it’s important people are excited by the players coming through and I think it’s one of the things, in every sport, that excites fans. ‘We’ve got a healthy environment and we’ve got senior players who are happy to share that information, help them develop. ‘It’s an environment I like but we have to deliver and that’s the next challenge for this team. ‘If we are not taking charge of the group all the talk of potential and what these young group of players might be, they won’t get the opportunity to play at a major finals. We have to make sure we get that right.’ Southgate criticised his team for losing control of the game during the closing stages of Sunday’s win over Albania.
He urged his team to make greater use of the dark arts. He said: ‘When I’ve watched the French and Portuguese, teams that have won, they are savvy and experienced winners. ‘And that’s something we have to add to this group. ‘There’s a lot of young players in this group, they haven’t won things at their club — we’ve got to help them learn how to win big matches.’ Having utilised a back four for the wins over San Marino and Albania, Southgate is said to be considering a switch back to a five-man defence tonight. Southgate will make a late check on the fitness of Mason Mount with James Ward-Prowse in line to play in midfield if Mount isn’t deemed fit to start. Elsewhere, Southgate is considering a start for Jesse Lingard instead of Phil Foden alongside Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling up front.