Southgate: England ready to attack
Squad are in right frame of mind for finals, says coach Young players more open to ideas than older peers
CHIEF FOOTBALL WRITER
Gareth Southgate says that a new spirit of openness among his young England players has enabled them to talk freely about their lives and form a bond that he believes puts them in a frame of mind to “attack the tournament”.
England embark for the Russia World Cup on Tuesday and, speaking after the 2-0 victory over Costa Rica at Elland Road on Thursday, Southgate said that his largely young and inexperienced squad – the third youngest at the tournament – were more open to ideas than older peers.
He felt they had embraced new approaches and were encouraged to “tell their stories”, perhaps part of the reason that Danny Rose felt emboldened to disclose his depression. England begin their campaign against Tunisia in Volgograd a week tomorrow.
Southgate said there was a mood of optimism in the camp. “We are really looking forward to going and I have said to them that we are going to attack the tournament.” He also said that they had group discussions on key issues such as how to respond to potential racism in Russia this month and also on tactics – which the players are encouraged to contribute to.
It was getting the players to “talk about their lives” in public and private that he felt had been the most challenging. “Sometimes, there is a perception of the players that comes from people not really knowing them and their back story and you see people for a short period of time,” Southgate said. “We judge on a very public stage. Very often, the persona we have on the pitch isn’t the exact persona off it. It’s normally fairly closely aligned but it doesn’t tell you the full story.
“So we have said, ‘Get your story out there, let people know. What is there to hold back?’ I think the guys are seeing the benefits of that.
“I’m not sure if that’s why Danny [Rose] said what he said. It feels to me as if he wanted to get something out and I’m sure he’s relieved to have done that from the tone of the words he used. I’m very proud of what he has done and hugely supportive of him.”
Southgate said that as well as having an input into tactical discussion, he is considering breaking with his own custom and naming the team earlier than the day of the game to allow players to concentrate on their roles.
He added that he was aware many of his players worked with “some of the top coaches in the world”, accustomed to a high level of preparation, and he was conscious of his responsibility to challenge and inspire.
Talking about his engagement with the players, Southgate said: “Sometimes I think, ‘They are never going to have a go at this’ and at times they are painstakingly putting up with the things that I throw their way.
“That would be more difficult with older players. They would possibly be a little less malleable and open to new suggestions. They really are having a go at everything and they are keen to show people how much it means to them to play for England.
“We are all England fans. You have seen the pictures of them [in England shirts]. I am the same. I have got a picture of myself in a shirt from ’82 at home and I am lucky there are some of me in a shirt playing.
“Now I am proud to lead the team. That goes right through the group. We are really looking forward to going and I have said to them that we are going to attack the tournament.”