SPANISH TO TEST GARETH
SPAIN tomorrow night is a proper test for Gareth Southgate and how far his young England side have to travel to match the best teams in the world.
The Spanish are flying under Luis Enrique, who has got them playing his Barcastyle football, with all the flair and passing... but also with real purpose.
Yet, I’m confident England will give a good account of themselves.
Gareth (above) has brought a lot of young lads into his team and he’s introduced not only energy, but confidence and belief too. I don’t think they will be overawed. Sometimes, when the Spanish are at their best, you can go into matches against them beaten already, as Wales did without Gareth Bale.
But Southgate has got this team pulling together and working as a unit, knowing their system will work against the best teams, knowing they always have a chance because they are organised and talented.
It will be a fascinating contest and good to see the likes of Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane compete against the best.
I think the performance in Croatia bodes well for England. They used a different formation, caused real problems and should have won.
Spain will be much harder, will offer a far greater examination, but there is still nothing to fear.