WE ARE FAMILY
Lingard insists the amazing team spirit and sense of fun created by Southgate is one reason why England are bowling the fans over
ONLY recently have the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard laid bare a fundamental flaw in England’s so-called golden generation.
Even the flag of St George could not cover the cracks in the squads that underperformed on the grandest stage, even national pride could not bury club rivalries.
There was no bitterness or animosity, just an instinct to separate into cliques.
The Man United guys in one corner of the dining room, the Liverpool contingent in another. Not here, not in remote Repino, not in Russia.
The current players have certainly paid lip-service to the unity of Gareth Southgate’s group but on a break from preparation for the knockout game against Colombia, the United and Liverpool players proved it.
“We had a day off and it was in St Petersburg. We went on a rollercoaster,” said Jesse Lingard. “Me, Marcus, Welbs, Trent and Jordan Henderson went down there and it was fun. Enjoyed it. We have been like family, we all get along with each other, that’s why we have done so well.
“Everyone gets on, there is no squabbling, there are no cliques. For now we are like family and we have a strong bond.”
He would say that, wouldn’t he? But just as you got the feeling there were always minor divisions in the golden generation squads, you get the feeling Lingard’s declaration of togetherness is genuine.
The interaction between Lingard, Marcus Rashford, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson – strapped into a rollercoaster car together – demonstrates that.
And manager Southgate can take some of the credit for that, having struck a chord with this youthful squad.
“It feels like a new revolution,” declared Lingard, one of the many rested for the defeat to Belgium ahead of the Colombian crunch.
“The manager has come in with great ideas and a great idea of how he wants us to play. It’s a youthful squad but we’ve still got the experienced players in there and the team spirit is amazing at the moment – everyone has come together and is really bonding. “We’re excited, we’re enjoying the World Cup and we have just got to keep going now.” Lingard (left) is known as one of the jokers of the squad, an effervescent presence with a penchant for social media. In the unlikely event his confidence needed a lift, it must have got it from the stunning goal against Panama – only the second of his 14-cap England career. He said: “For me, I think it was a great time to score. I needed to score, and to score in that fashion and that way was great.”
Lingard believes Colombia will provide a formidable test, describing them as a “tough, physical side” and former Old Trafford striker Radamel Falcao as “a lethal finisher”.
But he reckons there is more to come from the first-choice team that saw off Tunisia and Panama in the group stage.
Lingard said: “We’ve got to go out and play with no fear, play free, enjoy the occasion, enjoy the moment and get the victory.
“When it comes to the game, we know we are ready and we have another gear.”
And if it is a rollercoaster ride in Moscow tomorrow night, at least you can be sure they are all in it together.