Serene Southgate suited to the highest level
The cool and collected approach of manager is paying dividends with his players responding
knowledge that he had a group of players who were playing for the big teams in a big league.
As with all managers, the quality of player is the most important thing of all.
I think he knew how good this group could be and he gave them the confidence to be able to cope with the sort of situations that have hurt England in the past.
I have met him a number of times recently as our paths crossed at club matches we were attending.
His whole demeanour, the way he conducts himself, brings a calmness. He does not let people get too carried away about anything, the negative or the positive, and that is a strong characteristic of his personality.
He has enhanced the team’s inner belief that they can compete and win against anyone. When they got to Russia, I think the players genuinely believed they would do well, and why not? The
He has enhanced the team’s inner belief that they can compete and win against anyone
vast majority are playing regular Champions League football. But, of course, they still need direction, and that emanates from the manager.
It is a bit of a cliche to say international management suits him, but his character does suit the job he is in. He does not get sidetracked. He will keep things within the camp in check.
Having said that, there is naturally a great sense of euphoria in England because the team have removed one of the huge psychological barriers that has prevented the country doing really well at major tournaments. Beating Colombia on penalties in the manner they did after conceding such a late equaliser means this is an exciting time and they should go on to win against Sweden and reach the semi-final.
Their opponents are not a team who England should fear. They no longer have a player such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Henrik Larsson who can really hurt you. They are obdurate, strong and wellorganised, but they do not have any genuine pace in the team.
England will be on such a high, full of confidence, and they know they are good enough to win the game.
Losing to Belgium in the final group game now looks a pretty good outcome because there is no question their half of the draw is easier than facing Belgium, Brazil, France or Uruguay.
England will feel that they can play better for longer than they did against Colombia but also feel the semi-final is within their grasp, and they will go into this game on an absolute high.
The football purists would have loved England to win the Colombia game in a dominant manner, to have played the team off the park, but for England, winning the game in the way they did, to actually win a penalty shoot-out and exorcise the ghosts of the past, that will be incredibly satisfying in their camp.
They will really start to believe they can do something truly special at this tournament. They have erased all those fears that have haunted England teams. When Jordan Henderson missed his penalty, they might have worried they were going home, but to come back from that, thanks to
To actually win a penalty shoot-out and exorcise ghosts of the past will be incredibly satisfying
the goalkeeper Jordan Pickford making such a big, big save, there will be a strong feeling in England that they will beat Sweden.
Some of England’s players looked understandably a bit leggy and tired on Tuesday night, but all the other teams are in exactly the same position with four games played. It will be all about recovery over the next couple of days, and that is where Southgate’s backroom team come in.
But, honestly, do not worry about fatigue or tiredness. England will not feel any of that just now after winning that shoot-out.
With the talent at their disposal, England have a golden opportunity now to go right through in this tournament.