Shop until you are dropped says Phil
PHIL NEVILLE offers Gareth Southgate just one piece of advice ahead of the difficult task of telling players they have not made his final 23 for Russia.
It is easier to do it in Debenhams than La Manga.
The England Women manager suffered the heartache of narrowly missing out on a seat on the plane in 1998, 2002 and 2006.
The first time was at the England get-together in La Manga under Glenn Hoddle when Paul Gascoigne reacted so badly to his omission he trashed a hotel room.
Neville took the news better, but admitted it was easier the next two times when, by coincidence, he was in the same department store when the call came. “The first one I was in La Manga, the next two I was in Debenhams and I got a call off Sven-Goran Eriksson to tell me I hadn’t made the World Cup,” Neville recalled. “It was actually a good excuse to go home and get out of the Trafford Centre – 1998 was the worst because that was my World Cup, I was in my peak.
“It’s 100 per cent easier if you’re home when told. I flew home from La Manga with six others who had been left out, was picked up at the airport by my wife and my father, drove home. That was torture.”
In fairness, Southgate does not need telling it is a bad idea to drop players to their face, having had an appointment with Hoddle at La Manga straight after Gascoigne. “It’s about managing expectations,” said Southgate. “There are some who have worked with us for quite a while and know they will be part of the squad.
“There are others who know after the conversations I’ve had with them that they are on the edge of it. I’ve got to keep those conversations going over the next few weeks, letting people know how I see it, so in the end it doesn’t come as dramatically. It’s never enjoyable for either person.” MANCHESTER CITY will open talks with Raheem Sterling over a new contract at the end of the season. Sterling, man of the match for England in their draw with Italy, has two years left on his current deal but City want to continue their policy of tying up their major stars for the long term well ahead of their contracts expiring. Already this season Kevin De Bruyne, Fernandinho, David Silva and Nicolas Otamendi have signed new deals. Sterling, 23, has enjoyed his best season so far, scoring 20 goals with 11 assists in all competitions for City. RICHARD TANNER