ENGLAND’S POOR FORM A BLESSING FOR SOUTHGATE

WHILE England’s miserable form in June caused much angst, Gareth Southgate privately believes it may have been a blessing in disguise. The manager (left) is looking refreshed following a family holiday to Portugal. And it feels like the double defeats at the hands of Hungary and draws against Germany and Italy in an underwhelming Nations League campaign may have lowered the sky-high expectation before England head to Qatar for the World Cup in November.