WE’RE AS GOOD AS ANYONE OUT HERE
Southgate in England battle cry
GARETH SOUTHGATE came out fighting over the leaked team- sheet controversy that has threatened to dominate England’s preparations for tomorrow’s match against Panama.
As it emerged his No 2 Steve Holland apologised to the squad after appearing to reveal the starting XI for the game, Southgate made the confident claim that his side have been one of the outstanding teams of the World Cup so far.
‘I think every team will want to
improve but we hit a level that is comparable to anything that I’ve seen,’ insisted Southgate, reflecting on the 2-1 win over Tunisia. ‘I’m very pleased with so much of what we’ve done, pleased with the mentality of the players and for keeping their patience. To win the game in the manner we did in the end was pleasing.’ Victory tomorrow against Panama in Nizhny Novgorod will guarantee England’s place in the last 16. Southgate’s men were outstanding in the first 25 minutes of Monday’s win in Volgograd, but had to rely on Harry Kane’s last-gasp winner. Southgate added: ‘It is important for them that they got a game under their belt, that they played well, that they experienced what it feels like to win with England in a big tournament. It’s a memory that will stay with everybody. Now we have to build on that.’ Kyle Walker confirmed Holland had apologised for the teamsheet incident but Southgate played down the issue.