England manager Gareth Southgate says beating Nigeria 2-1 in Saturday’s World Cup warm-up was a “good test” for the upcoming tournament in Russia.
The international friendly at Wembley came 16 days before England’s Group G opener against Tunisia in Volgograd and while the manager was enthused by what he saw in the first 45 minutes, he was concerned by a slow reaction when the visitors changed both personnel and system at the break.
“The first half was as good a half as we’ve had,” Southgate said. “There was a lot of unselfish one and two-touch play. Our play from the back had good composure. It would be easy to say we were complacent in the second half but that wasn’t the case.
“We didn’t come to terms with their change in formation or work out their midfield quickly enough. We were a bit slow to react at the back and then it was a really good test for us.
“That five or six-minute spell we have to learn from because in a tournament that’s enough to put you out.”
Southgate has also called on his England squad to “protect each other” from outside pressures after his own decision to support Raheem Sterling.
“I had a decision to make whether to play him [Sterling] after turning up late but, actually, that wasn’t a decision after he started to come under fire from every other direction,” Southgate said.
“It wasn’t about getting a response. The most important thing I do in the next six weeks is protect the players. They respect each other and understand how important it is they support and protect each other.
“The situation was one we didn’t want to happen. But this was the best way to deal with it in my opinion.”
Sterling checked in at St George’s Park the morning after his scheduled arrival, delayed by a connecting flight en route from Jamaica.
“If I’d been left out, I wouldn’t have had any complaints,” Sterling told ITV.
“He [Southgate] is honest, he tells you his exact mind. I completely understand where he’s coming from. I have to go out there and show him exactly what I’m capable of doing.
“People will see stuff in the wrong way… I’m just looking to get over it and keep concentrating on football. To come here, express my talent and try and win football matches for this country.
“It’s a distraction you don’t need, but it’s one of those I’ve learned to deal with now and block it out.”
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