THE defence was the rock upon which England’s foundations were built.

FROM JOHN CROSS Chief Football Writer in Doha

@johncrossmirror

Incredibly, England kept 14 clean sheets in their 19 games last year and conceded just five goals.

But, in 2022, they have managed just two clean sheets and conceded 10 goals in eight games.

It probably explains why England’s defence is now seen as the weakest link, but there is no doubt in Conor Coady’s mind that Harry Maguire and Co can get back to their best.

Manchester United defender Maguire has been out of form, losing his starting place at Old Trafford.

But Coady believes he is the “same old” player when he comes away with England.

Maguire still looks likely to start against Iran on Monday when England begin their World Cup campaign.

And Coady insists the defence, which served them so well in Russia in 2018 and then at the Euros, will be up to the job again.

“I’ll be honest, we see the same old Harry Maguire every time we come away,” said Coady.

“I’ve known him since he was a kid at Sheffield United, I played with him when I was on loan there – he’s a great friend of mine and an even better footballer.

“He gets a lot of stick, we all see that, I don’t think it’s warranted – he’s a fantastic player and fantastic human being.

“We see how he plays for England, the leader that he is, the character that he is, he’s a brilliant person.”

Coady also believes that, despite the changes in the defence, England will get back to being solid again, even though they have gone six games without a win and conceded three in their last game against Germany.

When asked about the importance of the defence,

Coady (right) said: “It’s huge. That’s not just something we speak about in international football. It’s the same every week back at your club – you are speaking about how important clean sheets are going forward and we understand that.

“We have looked in the past at the teams that have won tournaments and they concede very few goals.

“It’s important we focus on that side because that is what we have been good at.

“It won’t change how we approach and prepare for games. We will focus on what we need to do.”

Coady was called England’s “most important player” at the Euros, despite not playing a minute in the whole tournament.

There is no doubting his value to the squad as a leader, inspiration and also keeping the dressing room dynamic in check.

But he laughed off a question about what a “good tourist” looks like. “He’s just called me a tourist, hasn’t he?” said Coady, looking over his own shoulder.

“I don’t think of myself as that. I think of myself as a player who has come here to do my best to try to help as much as I possibly can. I want to push everyone.

“I’ve said it plenty of times before: what are you going to do? Come here, sit and sulk and go back to your room? Or are you going to try to push people? That is all

I am going to do.

“I will be doing my best, if I am called upon. I think of myself as a footballer. I won’t change that attitude.

We are focused on going as far as we possibly can and making the country proud in these next few weeks.”