Gareth Southgate has addressed the dissatisfaction which surfaced among England fans during Friday’s win over Malta and described the suggestion his players are not proud to play for their country as “outrageous”.
The national team can take a significant step towards qualifying for next summer’s World Cup by beating Slovakia at Wembley on Monday, with 70,000 tickets sold for the meeting between the teams first and second in Group F. Yet events in Ta’ Qali on Friday, when sections of England’s support made clear their disgust at the side’s sluggish performance and many left well before the final whistle, have prompted talk of a disconnect between fans and players given the side’s toils in recent years.
Harry Kane rejected the notion some players were indifferent to playing for their country, with Southgate echoing his striker’s sentiments.
“The notion the players aren’t proud to play is outrageous really,” the manager said. “They’re unbelievably proud to play for England. Yes, they might not play as well as they’d like to sometimes, not converting all their chances, but there’s no one not giving their 100%.
“I guess what I’d say to the supporters is every team has new players. Whatever your feelings have been about the team, can you give the next generation of players the support that any English sports team craves? To be successful is going to mean more if we are all in it together. That is the pride of playing for England. These guys are the best in the country. They’re there on merit. They are proud to play. They are doing what everyone at home wants to do, and we want to deliver. It won’t be for lack of effort or preparation.
“All of them give everything they have. We’re not demanding they’re here. They want to be here. The easiest thing in the world would be to pull out but we picked 28 players and 28 turned up. That’s a really good sign and it hasn’t always been the case. It’s a shame the guys who come get the stick and the guys who duck out escape all that.”
Southgate, who will retain Jordan Henderson as captain against Slovakia, was asked whether players had chosen to withdraw from squads during either his playing or coaching days. “Yes, yes, absolutely,” he said. “I’ve played in teams where people were there every time and other players weren’t. It’s not important who they are. But that’s why some people get 50, 60 or 70 caps and others, who may be good players, don’t get that many. The important ones, for me, are those who get the 70 caps.
“This is the same narrative I heard when I was playing, so I’m able to contextualise and rationalise it. Every England team I played in, the lads could never quite get their heads round why that was. Maybe we had bad days when I was playing. Maybe it looks as if you can’t get to things, you’re not as sharp, so people perceive you’re not trying, and the easiest, basest reaction is to say: ‘They don’t care.’ But, more often than not, players have cared too much; been wrapped up in the experience too much and not been able to give their best for that reason. Having worn the shirt, that’s where I think I can bring some context to it. It’s not about ‘not caring’.”
Eric Dier is expected to return to England’s lineup having been suspended in Malta, while Marcus Rashford may be preferred from the start in place of Raheem Sterling against the team ranked 22nd in the world. Southgate will debrief his players on the Slovakia performance on Tuesday morning before releasing them backto their clubs but will hope to have moved a significant step closer to the tournament in Russia by then.
“If you’re going to be top players in a top team, you have to cope with everything,” added Southgate. “Is [the booing] helpful for the team? I don’t see how it can be helpful for the team. But we have to just get on and perform, as we did on Friday, and play through it. What I hope is the fans really get behind us. There’s nothing better than playing in your own stadium and feeling the fans are a huge advantage for you and intimidating the opposition. That’s what supporting is all about.
“But the fans are proud Englishmen like we are. They pay their money and want us to win and perform. We get that. It would just be a much better experience for all of us if we are all united.
“I understand our job is to entertain and excite the supporters but it’s also to build this team and qualify. And we want to get to a World Cup.”