Southgate wants stars to be psyched up for the next great battle
GARETH SOUTHGATE will ensure his England stars are mentally ready to go to battle again ahead of their American showdown tonight.
The Three Lions boss will decide whether or not to switch up his side on how they are both mentally and physically prepared.
England thrashed Iran 6-2 on Monday to get their World Cup Group B opener off to a flying start.
Southgate wants to see the right reaction from his players before he puts them straight back in for the clash which could see them coast into the knockout stage if they win again.
But now they’ll go up against a USA side desperate to get one over on them before a showdown with neighbours Wales next week.
He said: “Definitely the opponents will be highly motivated and we’ve got to make sure that we’re in that right psychological space where we were before the first game.
“That’s one of the big challenges, really, because the psychological make-up of the squad changes after every game.
“You’ve got lads who have played and have had a bit of praise. “You’ve got lads who have come into the game who have fulfilled what they wanted to do and scored. You’ve got boys who aren’t in the starting team the other day who are motivated but also can feel a little bit lower.
“As well as tactically preparing the team, you’re also trying to emotionally manage that group dynamic. We have to get that right.
“The opponent will do what the opponent does. We’ve got to make sure that we’re in the right headspace and physically prepared for the game.”
England played like a team which had been let off the reins as they went out on the attacking front against Iran.
There will be interest to see if Southgate reverts to the previous more controlled approach against stiffer opposition in the latter stages of the tournament.
But, for now, there would be expectation that they continue to play on the front foot after Jude Bellingham,
Bukayo Saka,
Raheem
Sterling, and subs Marcus
Rashford and
Jack Grealish scored earlier this week.
Southgate’s approach in the Euros last year was more defensive, but he has now claimed that was down to the form of his forwards then.
“I see more of our attacking players in a better moment than they were in the Euros perhaps,” said the Three Lions boss.
“I know people talked a lot about the depth we had then, but I didn’t see for some of the squad then that they were in a really good moment when you were looking to make changes.
“Now, I’m looking at training and it’s at a really good level amongst the group and they’re making decisions harder. “I’m always thinking if there’s an injury to a player, ‘Well OK who’s the next one in?.’
“It’s an opportunity for someone else.” Southgate knows there may be more pressure on his team in this game.
Not only the fact it’s the USA, but also because they’re within touching distance of progression. He said: “I guess people wouldn’t expect us to be like that having watched us for a couple of years and the style of football we play.
“We came into this tournament with intent. We exploited the opponent on the day. The next two games are going to be completely different. We are closer to our first objective of getting out of the group. That brings a different feel.”