IT’S ALL GO

Harsh reality is kicking in for Gareth as he feels the weight of expectation

GARETH SOUTHGATE knows for the first time what it really feels like to be England manager.

The fans booing during the Three Lions’ win in Malta, the pressure cranked up before a must-win qualifier with Slovakia, and his players being questioned.

The honeymoon is well and truly over. Little wonder he did not feel like celebrating his 47th birthday yesterday. Someone wished Southgate happy birthday as he left the room after his press conference. “It doesn’t feel much like it,” he smiled ruefully.

The England boss is feeling the heat for the first time since being put in charge. A year ago today, Sam Allardyce won his only game as manager with a 95th-minute winner in Slovakia, thanked a lucky coin he had in his pocket – and was run out of town three weeks later after a newspaper sting. Being Three Lions manager is a thankless task.

Southgate, who has won four of his nine games in charge, knew it was never going to be easy but probably did not expect such a tough examination after a 4-0 win away from home. That is the pressure and weight of expectation from the Impossible Job.

The former Middlesbrough boss is ever the diplomat. Cool and eloquent on the outside but far from happy after the Malta game. He put a brave face on it in the press conference but, behind the scenes, pulled no punches with the players and told them the first half was nowhere near good enough.

He is still auditioning for a new captain, has settled on a 4-2-3-1 formation, yet lacks the quality to fill the positions (particularly in midfield) and is still a long way from deciding on his first-choice XI.

England will surely book their place for Russia next summer but then the job gets tougher as expectation levels rise and Southgate is desperate to play those down. This is a long way from England’s so-called Golden Generation and even they disappointed on the big stage.

“You’re always being judged, aren’t you?” said Southgate. “Whether that’s the first game, how you’re going to respond and deal with it, walking in through the door... the first qualifier... you’re judged in every game.

“You’re on trial and on show in every match, and you have to perform and produce and win matches. I didn’t expect an easier ride. It’s no different to playing Scotland and Spain when I was in temporary charge.