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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Jack Watson

Gareth Southgate England press conference: Every word as the manager previews Spain Nations League tie

England go into Monday's Uefa Nations League game against Spain without a win in their last four competitive matches, not that that is worrying Gareth Southgate.

On Friday they drew 0-0 with Croatia in a strange Nations League game that was held without any supporters in the stadium. Jadon Sancho came on from the bench late in the match and may have done enough to persuade Southgate to give him a full international cap in Seville. 

Spain go into the match with a run of three wins from three games under new manager Luis Enrique, including a 6-0 win against Croatia and a 4-1 victory over Wales.

Welcome!
 
Gareth Southgate will be answering questions from the assembled media shortly as he previews England's Uefa Nations League match against Spain on Monday.
 
Stay tuned to see everything the manager has to say.
 
While we wait...
 
Gareth Southgate says he was pleased with the effect of England’s 4-3-3 formation in their 0-0 draw away to Croatia, and that it has already started to solve what was a growing problem.
 
Will Soutgate be tempted to start Sancho?
 
Borussia Dortmund are keen not to rush the talented 18-year-old but Gareth Southgate’s desire to have him involved shows how highly he rates Jadon Sancho
 
Enrique full of praise for Southgate

"I like Southgate as a coach," said Spain manager Luis Enrique.

"They always try to play the ball. He's adapted to his players, something we all have to do. I followed him and I like the way he plays football.

"He has just renewed (his contract, until 2022) and that means they trust him - and he has helped me learn English with his press "

We must be vigilant and ensure that we generate the least possible occasions (for set-pieces)."

"What gives us the mathematical classification is victory," Enrique told a media conference on Sunday.

"We will try to overcome a very difficult opponent who is doing things very well."

 
Southgate's arrived!
 
Jordan Pickford joins the England manager
 
Gareth Southgate on Harry Kane
 
"I think a lot of the players have their ankles strapped for training, so that's a normal procedure."
On last time vs Spain

"We can always improve in every area of the game. You're looking at how you can improve, with this team and their age we're looking at the things they can get better at."
On Croatia chances
 
"The concern would be if we were not creating chances, we were dangerous and we looked a threat. We looked like we were in good positions to score goals. The technical ability around the penalty area was good on a difficult pitch."
Formation
 
"It's good that we've got options. Different teams pose different tactical problems. We knew we'd need to get tight to Croatia's midfield and Spain are similar. We've also got to cause them problems, we've got comfortable and we can be the dominant team."
 
Stones and Henderson suspended
 
"It's clear Joe Gomez will be coming in for John (Stones). He's in good form for his club and his games for us have been polished performances. He's a very good defender and uses the ball well. I'm looking forward to seeing him in this game. We're building a squad of players that are playing at the highest level.
 
"Midfield we're having to deal without Jordan Henderson."
Jordan Pickford speaks
 
"I heard them from a distance and the fans travel all over the world for us.
 
"Spain are a top opponent and we're prepared, it's a great challenge for the team. Hopefully we can show the fans and country what we're made of. 
 
"There're a top side and hopefully we can keep a clean sheet, we've got the ability up top to score goals."
Back to Southgate
 
"I think their style is a little bit different. They've got a top coach and they're a little bit more direct and they've got players with speed in the front three. The style and philosophy is there but the tactics are a little bit different. It's as tough a test you can have in European football. At Wembley we were slow when we started but we got better."
Southgate on the impact of the World Cup
 
"I think it's psychological freshness rather than physical - everybody adapts their training load appropriately. I don't really understand why our league started so early but they did. It was an impossible situation for the coaches, really"
That's all!
 
That's it from the live part of the England press conference. Jack Pitt-Brooke is there and will have more from Gareth Southgate and Jordan Pickford this evening.
 
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