Gareth Southgate’s pre-match team talk is the perfect example of England’s new spirit
Arise, Sir Gareth Southgate.
That’s what they’ll say if he achieves what most of us thought was impossible three weeks ago.
Yes, there’s still a long way to go and Sweden could prove to be uncomfortable opponents, but let a boy dream eh?
Mood.Getty - Contributor
It’s been two days now and it still doesn’t feel real that England won that dramatic penalty shootout against Colombia, in a World Cup.
And there is something different in this team, not only the lack of ego or superstars but the unwavering of confidence Southgate appears to be instilling in them.
It is a sight to behold.
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Magnanimous in victoryReuters
And nothing proves how much of an inspirational leader Southgate really is more than the words he laid on the players before they took to the field against Los Cafeteros.
If you can imagine Sven Goran Eriksson or Fabio Capello speaking in such terms then you are a better man than me.
The message was all about unity.
“OK lads, Vardy is going to be organising the party when we win this.”AP:Associated Press
The waistcoat-wearing hero began by focusing on the players backgrounds and how so many of them had a shared journey to football’s highest stage.
Instead of being pampered through Premier League academies, the majority of this squad have put in the hard yards in lower league loan moves to become the players they are today.
They’ve worked their way up and Southgate believes these shared paths are fundamental to England’s success.
Alli just one of the players who started in the lower leaguesAction Images - Reuters
“I talked to them about where they had all started and the different clubs,” the England manager said.
“You have to be savvy. You have to be tactically aware because that’s what makes the difference in the big matches. But they also have humility about them.
“We work hard for each other, we don’t carry anybody. They are all prepared to graft and dig in for each other.
“I know those are slightly old-fashioned qualities but we don’t have the right to stroll around a football pitch. We play with character and I love that about them.”
And we love you Gareth.
A very strange sightGetty Images - Getty
The tactical awareness Southgate was referring to was plain for everyone to see as England fronted up to Colombia’s snide tactics and were not naive when it mattered most.
Bravo gentlemen.
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