Gareth Southgate says England 'further ahead' than after last qualification campaign
Last updated on .From the section England
Gareth Southgate says his England side are "further ahead" than they were at the corresponding stage of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.
Southgate's side finished fourth at the finals in Russia and go to Euro 2020 next summer as one of the top seeds.
"I think the team have belief, for sure, you can see the confidence," Southgate said.
"They have got the confidence to control games with possession, and they know they're going to score goals."
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England's 4-0 win over Kosovo on Sunday rounded off another impressive qualifying campaign for Southgate's squad, who topped Group A after winning seven of their eight fixtures.
While they also finished top of their 2018 World Cup qualification group, England have progressed as an attacking force, more than doubling their goal tally - scoring 37 in eight games, compared to 18 in 10 games.
"They don't come into these matches worrying about what might go wrong," Southgate added.
"We're definitely further ahead than we were heading into Russia, but we made massive strides in this period when we went into Russia.
"We've got to make sure that, to get the level of performance next summer, we're going to have to improve in the way that we did over that spell as well."
Goals from Harry Winks, captain Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and Mason Mount gave England victory in Kosovo.
If reservations exist, they are based upon how England will fare once they meet opposition of a higher calibre.
England lost to the Netherlands in the semi-finals of the Nations League in June, and in Russia, despite reaching the semi-finals of a major tournament for the first time since 1996, they were beaten by Croatia and twice by Belgium.
And the Czech Republic, at 43rd in the world the highest-ranked side England faced in Euro 2020 qualifying, inflicted their only Group A defeat in October.
"What we don't know, because we haven't had those tests more recently against the top eight or 10, is exactly how we're going to cope in those moments," Southgate added.
"To win the European Championship is, at the moment, no easier than the World Cup. The final four [at the World Cup in Russia] were all European, and you've got to add Spain, Germany, Portugal and all the others into that, so it's a really high-level tournament."
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We need our centre backs to urgently find form or we are going to concede far too much against decent opposition.
That said it still took us to the last 4 in Russia. Cmon England!
When watching i have a general feeling that they want to play for England and do the best, there is not a lot of club before country and long may it continue.
Congrats on a good result and hoping it continues.
How many people lived on the Faroe Islands when they held your Scotland team to a draw?
Here's a clue, it was less than 50,000.
We can score goals though and that makes us dangerous dark horses.
Roflmfao- You're joking... right?
@17
As you're scotch, your opinion doesn't count for much when it comes to football.
I notice the scotch mention Iceland a lot. The following countries seem to have fallen from their globes though,
Peru, Iran, Macedonia, Georgia (twice 😂) Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Costa Rica, Morocco, Faroe Islands, South Korea, Belarus.
I wonder why?
We’re not the best team in the world, we have a couple of borderline world class players but that’s it. We’re a reasonable bet for the semis of any tournament.
Hype is hype, don’t believe it.
I don’t think there is another manager out there who could do any better.
Carry on Gareth.
As for GS, he's done a good job with the players he has and is realistic about the team still having to prove themselves against the best in the big games.
Defence needs to be tighter. More fluidity in midfield. Better linkup play from defence to midfield. Commanding goalkeeping as well.
Yeah, still some room for improvement.
PS
Kudos to the Kosovans and well play to the travelling supporters for behaving properly as well.
I'd understand it if it was a Spaniard, German or Frenchman but this is Scotland! They are like the equivalent of a league 1 side.
Is there a more undignified group of fans? I'm trying to think.
How is he deluded? He said Eng are in a better place than before the world cup. Thats all. No comments about winning or being favourites.
Proper Football fans know exactly where England are.
Deluded fans think we are the best in the World or think we are worse than we are.