New bubble is no trouble for Lions

GARETH SOUTHGATE is making a departure from England’s normal routine by using a different hotel for the forthcoming Wembley triple-header.

The Three Lions squad will stay at the luxurious Pennyhill Park in Surrey, which has often been used in the past by the RFU, with a tie-up stretching back to 2003 when

Sir Clive Woodward’s team won the World Cup.

England boss Southgate (right) sees it as an ideal location, with the high-quality training facilities on site meaning they can stay within their bubble and strict protocols without having to move in and out of a hotel to use another club’s training ground.

Southgate has built up a close relationship with England rugby boss Eddie Jones, who no doubt would have endorsed the facilities, but it would be difficult for the RFU to book out

MANAGERS have had a directive to watch their language during behind-closed-doors games.

With no fans in the stadiums, the Premier League, EFL and broadcasters have asked the League Managers Association to urge bosses to mind their Ps and Qs during games.

One manager told this column: “You honestly get wrapped up in the moment, you completely forget but you can hear everything in an empty stadium. It’s very hard not to swear.swear.”

THERE was a tiny taste of Sky’s extra access during Leicester’s win at Manchester City when they played out the audio from the boom mic behind Kasper Schmeichel’s goal in the first half. Schmeichel shouted instructions and his frustration as City took the lead.

Sky are showing more games than ever the hotel for the length of time they needed to create a bubble.

The England football team will meet up at St George’s Park but then, for the games in London, it is more convenient and practical to stay nearer Wembley for the matches with Wales, Belgium and Denmark. Th They would no normally stay at SGP for the whole time, but travelling within strict protocols is far from ideal. They have used The Grove hotel in the past, but that does not have onsite facilities.

The Pennyhill Park hotel boasts 123 acres in the Surrey countryside, luxury spa facilities, a Michelin-starred restaurant, with rooms starting at £300 for bargain online deals.

After what happened with Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden last time, you can be certain the players will have to watch their step in the hotel.

but the cut backs in programming – with Goals on Sunday, The Debate and Sunday Supplement all biting the dust – has left the channel a bit threadbare and lacking, other than live matches.

Let’s hope they do more of that as it provides interesting insight... when they can find soundbites with no swearing!

CLUBS are being divided in Leagues One and Two by new contracts.

This column has been told that many EFL chief executives are putting extra clauses into deals for new players so they will not get paid or their wages take a big drop if there is another lockdown.

That is causing a real issue in dressing rooms where some players are on better, more secure contracts than others.

LEGENDARY commentator Clive Tydlesley has signed a deal with food delivery service Just Eat for a new promotion.

Tyldesley was a star of lockdown when he posted a video commentating on his wife’s home cooking and is now doing the same for some lucky customers in a competition via the company’s website.