WORLD NO.1 BEATERS
After victory over Belgium, Southgate says there are no limits to what this Three Lions team can achieve on the big stage
haven’t got a helluva lot of work to do. We have.
“We played an outstanding team against Belgium with top individuals and great collective mentality. We had to be close to perfect without the ball to get through it and we were in the second half – we weren’t in the first.
“But we are learning and improving.” Southgate also paid a glowing tribute to Harry Maguire in his first game back for England after being axed last month for being found guilty of assault in a Greek courtroom. Manchester United captain Maguire has been struggling for form and confidence but Southgate believes that he is now on the path back even if he admitted the defence was exposed in the first hal ha l f a g a in s t B e l g ium because the balance was not right . Southgate added:
“You’re asked so many questions with the movement and the quality of the play around.
“I think our back players in the first half, we didn’t have the structure quite right in front.
“The quality of de fende rs individually is one thing but if they are not protected and the structure is not right t h e n , against the very best teams, it’s going to be a problem.
“I think both things combined.
“But Harry’s a top player, and we have tremendous faith in him.
“It was great to have him back in the fold and I think he will take a lot of confidence from his performance.”