Nigeria win a good test — England Manager

By Daily Sports on June 3, 2018

England manager Gareth Southgate says beating Nigeria 2-1 in Saturday's World Cup warm-up was a "good test" for the upcoming tournament in Russia.

The international friendly at Wembley came 16 days before England's Group G opener against Tunisia in Volgograd and while the manager was enthused by what he saw in the first 45 minutes, he was concerned by a slow reaction when the visitors changed both personnel and system at the break.

"The first half was as good a half as we've had," Southgate said. "There was a lot of unselfish one and two-touch play. Our play from the back had good composure. It would be easy to say we were complacent in the second half but that wasn't the case.

"We didn't come to terms with their change in formation or work out their midfield quickly enough. We were a bit slow to react at the back and then it was a really good test for us.

England talking points

We pick out the key discussion points from England's win over Nigeria.

"That five or six-minute spell we have to learn from because in a tournament that's enough to put you out."

Southgate has also called on his England squad to "protect each other" from outside pressures after his own decision to support Raheem Sterling.

"I had a decision to make whether to play him [Sterling] after turning up late but, actually, that wasn't a decision after he started to come under fire from every other direction," Southgate said.

Raheem Sterling started against Nigeria.

"It wasn't about getting a response. The most important thing I do in the next six weeks is protect the players. They respect each other and understand how important it is they support and protect each other.

"The situation was one we didn't want to happen. But this was the best way to deal with it in my opinion."

Sterling checked in at St George's Park the morning after his scheduled arrival, delayed by a connecting flight en route from Jamaica.

"If I'd been left out, I wouldn't have had any complaints," Sterling told ITV.

"He [Southgate] is honest, he tells you his exact mind. I completely understand where he's coming from. I have to go out there and show him exactly what I'm capable of doing.

"People will see stuff in the wrong way... I'm just looking to get over it and keep concentrating on football. To come here, express my talent and try and win football matches for this country.

"It's a distraction you don't need, but it's one of those I've learned to deal with now and block it out." (Sky Sports)

Photo shows Southgate and England captain Harry Kane

Source Daily Sports

Posted June 3, 2018


 

You may also like...
Ugbade rues Eaglets AFCON, World Cup ouster

Edo FA Cup set for kick-off

Liverpool Sign New Kit Deal With NIKE

Messi, Ronaldo To Both Miss Champions League Semi-Final...

Beckham backs Mourinho to restore glory days to...

Odegbami heaps praises on Dream Team VI, hopeful...

 

Latest News Nigeria beat Cameroon to reach IHF final 27 schools for Doregos Basketball Championship Super Falcons to play France’s Les Bleues in friendly SWAN suspends ban on coverage of Anambra FA activities Joshua among boxing’s top three earners in 2024 Oshoala makes history with Bay FC Nnamani hails team over IHF bright start Flamingos lift U-17 W’Cup Fair Play Trophy Rangers Intl, SWAN partner on sports collaboration in SE LAGOS SWAN CELEBRATES AIG ZONE 2 ON HIS BIRTHDAY AND 30 DAYS IN OFFICE Traders Cup: Upholstery Soccer Team Secured 2nd Win To Advance To Round Two Lagos SWAN Celebrates Oba Akiolu, Iyaloja General, AIG Fayoade

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (55,142 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (46,269 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (44,350 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (43,991 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (43,932 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (43,879 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (43,718 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (43,289 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (42,333 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (41,036 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (39,489 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (38,916 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media