ENGLAND CAPTAIN SAYS RECENT RESULTS SHOULD BE PUT IN PERSEPECTIVE AHEAD OF WORLD CUP
Steven Gerrard says England should look at the "big picture" after defeats to Chile and Germany brought them down to earth after reaching the World Cup last month.
Having guided his team through a successful qualification campaign for Brazil 2014 without defeat, the Three Lions ended 2013 with two home reversals as they plan for next summer.
However, the captain believes England will have learned a lot as Roy Hodgson utilised the games to see as many players as possible, with very little pitch-time left before he has to name his World Cup squad.
"We've got to be disappointed with the results but you have to put them into perspective," said Gerrard. "The manager's been experimenting, trying things out.
"If you look at the big picture, we're going to the World Cup and we're trying to prepare, give people game time and try things out.
"We've learned our lessons where we've gone wrong, but we've come up against two teams who are going to compete for the World Cup."
When England arrive in South America, they'll be one of 32 teams aiming to lift the prized trophy in Rio on 13 July, and Gerrard is under no illusion of the size of the task in hand.
While the host nation will be expected to well by the Brazilian public, current World and European champions Spain will also be a strong contender.
Gerrard also believes England must improve before next summer and this week's two losses highlight the challenge ahead.
"It's going to be dificult, we're not one of the favourites, but what these results will do is put a bit of realism around the country," he said.
"I think we'll go there firmly with our feet on the ground knowing that we've got to improve and continue to work hard if we are going to have a successful World Cup.
"There's one game left in March [against Denmark at Wembley] for people to push for places, but there will be some very difficult decisions for the manager to make. Only 23 can go there are a lot of good players out there."
Gerrard also praised England keeper Joe Hart, who made a number of fine saves against Germany that kept them from adding to their lead.
Though Hart conceded only four goals in ten qualifying games for England on the road to Brazil, the Manchester City man has come under some scrutiny from outside the camp.
But Gerrard insists the England players have faith in their No1 and says he was one of their best performers against Germany.
"I thought he was our best player, he made some really good saves," continued the Liverpool captain. "From our point of view we're a little bit disappointed we didn't create enough in the final third.
"They created two or three really good chances and Joe stopped the scoreline from being worse than it was. No-one doubts him in our dressing room, we're all behind him and we know he's a top keeper." the-fa.com
Having guided his team through a successful qualification campaign for Brazil 2014 without defeat, the Three Lions ended 2013 with two home reversals as they plan for next summer.
However, the captain believes England will have learned a lot as Roy Hodgson utilised the games to see as many players as possible, with very little pitch-time left before he has to name his World Cup squad.
"We've got to be disappointed with the results but you have to put them into perspective," said Gerrard. "The manager's been experimenting, trying things out.
"If you look at the big picture, we're going to the World Cup and we're trying to prepare, give people game time and try things out.
"We've learned our lessons where we've gone wrong, but we've come up against two teams who are going to compete for the World Cup."
When England arrive in South America, they'll be one of 32 teams aiming to lift the prized trophy in Rio on 13 July, and Gerrard is under no illusion of the size of the task in hand.
While the host nation will be expected to well by the Brazilian public, current World and European champions Spain will also be a strong contender.
Gerrard also believes England must improve before next summer and this week's two losses highlight the challenge ahead.
"It's going to be dificult, we're not one of the favourites, but what these results will do is put a bit of realism around the country," he said.
"I think we'll go there firmly with our feet on the ground knowing that we've got to improve and continue to work hard if we are going to have a successful World Cup.
"There's one game left in March [against Denmark at Wembley] for people to push for places, but there will be some very difficult decisions for the manager to make. Only 23 can go there are a lot of good players out there."
Gerrard also praised England keeper Joe Hart, who made a number of fine saves against Germany that kept them from adding to their lead.
Though Hart conceded only four goals in ten qualifying games for England on the road to Brazil, the Manchester City man has come under some scrutiny from outside the camp.
But Gerrard insists the England players have faith in their No1 and says he was one of their best performers against Germany.
"I thought he was our best player, he made some really good saves," continued the Liverpool captain. "From our point of view we're a little bit disappointed we didn't create enough in the final third.
"They created two or three really good chances and Joe stopped the scoreline from being worse than it was. No-one doubts him in our dressing room, we're all behind him and we know he's a top keeper." the-fa.com
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire