In their opening match Southgate’s troops snatched a deserved injury-time victor against Tunisia in a game which saw Harry Kane net twice either side of a controversial Ferjani Sassi penalty, as The Three Lions won their first opening game at the Finals in 12 years – they now have the opportunity to win their first two World Cup matches for only the second time since 1982.
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The Three Lions boss, who suffered a dislocated shoulder while out running earlier this week, played down the tactical significance of the information which was revealed.
Southgate initially suggested that the leak had put England at a “disadvantage” heading into the match, sparking debate over whether or not the English media should have publicised the images. They will be defensive and looked to use their physicality and spirit to disrupt England.
You could say it wasn’t pretty or adventurous and it certainly lacked any kind of Zlatan gold dust; but there was an understanding, togetherness and an honest work ethic which the lower division fans of the world will recognise as real life football.
“The long journeys are the ones you don’t look forward to”. The last England player to score more goals in the group stages of a World Cup tournament was Gary Lineker in 1986 (3).
Walker continued: “I’ve had more knocks than a penalty decision given against me”.
“Obviously it wasn’t the ideal start for my tournament on a personal level, but I have to pick myself up now”. “He was not playing the game, so that is it”.
“I don’t really care, like that wasn’t the team”, the defender said, “We don’t know the team so until I know the team I can’t really comment on that”.
“But it is not the job of the media to protect the team”.
“If we play in an organised way we know how we can make their individual players have a hard time – we admire them but we can’t give them any space”.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s game, the former Premier League victor said: “At the end of the day we are all here for one reason and that is to keep winning as many games as possible”.
“From our point of view, I don’t expect the media to be supporters of us in terms of the way they work”.
“I think that just shows how we all are and how the setup is”. The team has evolved massively form the Iceland game.
“I think there’s a big performance coming from England and it’s just bubbling”. We’ve men in key areas who can go and get goals at any time.
Crucially for England, though, they have pace on their side, and the likes of Rashford and Jesse Lingard could run Panama ragged and set up the Three Lions for a second win on the bounce.
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“It is a new position for me”, Walker said.
