Southgate expects England to finish qualifying job
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
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Former England centre-back Gareth Southgate feels Fabio Capello's men are "pretty much on course" to reach UEFA EURO 2012 as they approach their final three qualifiers in Group G.
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As a member of the squad which reached the last four of EURO '96 on home soil, Gareth Southgate has come as close as anyone to getting his hands on England's first major international honour since the 1966 FIFA World Cup.
The former Crystal Palace FC, Aston Villa FC and Middlesbrough FC defender will forever be remembered as the unfortunate man to fail from the spot in the semi-finals as Terry Venables' men lost 6-5 on penalties to Germany at Wembley. Now the Football Association's (FA) head of elite development, the 40-year-old's brief is to help bring through the right quality of players and coaches as England bid to end their long wait for silverware.
Though his role is primarily about ensuring a brighter future for the national team, Southgate will be an interested observer when England try to complete their primary short-term objective – qualifying for UEFA EURO 2012. Following the Three Lions' disappointing World Cup campaign last summer, Southgate has been impressed with how Fabio Capello has introduced new players into the fold alongside established seasoned internationals. It is an approach which has helped England go top of qualifying Group G ahead of their final three fixtures against Bulgaria – in Sofia on Friday – Wales and Montenegro.
"Fabio Capello has had to balance blooding some new players – people like Joe Hart, who's come into the side and done extremely well, and now we're seeing Jack Wilshere emerge into the team," said Southgate. "He's had to blend them with some of the players that have been there, like Ashley Cole, John Terry and Wayne Rooney.
"The qualifying campaign is always completely different to tournament football. There are some difficult tests ahead; going to Montenegro will be very difficult, Bulgaria will be difficult, but, generally speaking, England are pretty much on course to get there."
To hear more from Southgate on England, EURO '96 and which countries he expects to challenge in Poland and Ukraine next summer, watch the video above.
