Wales will raise their game ‘to another level’ against England says Southgate
Gareth Southgate expects to face a team “inspired to another level” when England meet Wales at the World Cup later this year.
Wales ended a 64-year wait to reach the finals on Sunday when beating Ukraine 1-0 in a tense play-off in Cardiff.
Their reward is a place in Group B in Qatar, where they will play the United States and Iran before facing old foes England on November 29.
Southgate suggested that Wales would raise their game against England, saying that Scotland had done so when they drew against England at Wembley at the Euros.
“There is history there, isn’t there, so we would be stupid not to be aware of that and not informed of that,” he said.
“You play a team that are inspired to another level. That’s what we had against Scotland in the Euros and I don’t see that being any different with Wales, who also have some very good players.
“They are where they are, they’ve had big results over a long period of time, not least a good run in the Euros as well, so that’s going to be extremely tough for us when it comes around.”
‘Down the track’
Southgate did not watch the play-off as he was preparing for Tuesday’s Nations League match in Germany but knows a tough challenge awaits.
“I think some of the players were (watching it) but of course an all-British game, so there’s that element to it,” he said, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live and talkSPORT.
“Firstly, congratulations to Robert Page because he’s done a super job.
“I’ve met him several times on the road scouting games together, so I’m really pleased for him that he’s got through that.
“Obviously our thoughts are with Ukraine as well because of what they’ve been through. They gave a phenomenal performance in Scotland.
“You did wonder whether it was going to be possible to hit that emotional high again, although they still created chances. It looked as though, watching it back, (Wayne) Hennessey made some good saves.
“We play Wales but for us that’s a long way down the track.”
Support our Nation today
For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.
Gareth Southgate like most England managers make this thinly veiled patronising statement because he & they assume that Wales playing against his team will effectively be our World Cup Final, and how we will raise our game soley because it’s glorious England. Sorry Gareth, but I want Wales to compete against the best, and the best isn’t England.
I’m more worried about Iran. The English team are nice lads, but it’s 11 v 11 and the English fans turn on their team when things go wrong. We never do.
Aye, take heed from 1978! We didn’t give them enough credit.
11 v 11? Per head per population Wales has sixteen fewer players than England to chpose from for each position on the field!
Southgate can’t win with the likes of Y Cymro,if he respects us he is patronising.if he does not he is even more patronising.Whatever you may think,he is not going to say, we (England) might as well stay at home.
But from his words it seems he is suggesting that Wales wil particularly raise their game to defeat England. I suspect they will endeavour to raise their game against everyone and care about the tournament as a whole rather than just one match
Nah. Just another game on the way to the later stages.
Perhaps if England “raise their game” they’ll make a game of it.