GARETH SOUTHGATE can take a huge step towards landing the England job on a permanent basis when his side face Spain on Tuesday.
The Three Lions welcome La Roja to Wembley Stadium on Tuesday evening for a friendly clash in their final fixture of a turbulent year.
Roy Hodgson began 2016 as the national side’s boss, but after a disastrous Euro 2016, he was given the boot in June.
Keep up to date with ALL the PREMIER LEAGUE news, gossip, transfers and goals on our club page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary
Sam Allardyce then took charge, but his one-game reign ended in controversy as he was sacked following the bung scandal two months ago.
That led the FA to turn to Southgate, and he has led England to a victory and a draw over Malta and Slovenia respectively last month before his side hammered Scotland 3-0 on Friday.
related stories
Now as he prepares to lead his men into the Spanish clash, SunSport’s Neil Ashton looks at five things we want to see from England tonight:
STEPPING STONES
JOHN STONES must have a good night, otherwise people will be wondering what all the fuss is about.
The Manchester City defender can be careless in possession, yet his legions of admirers claim it is part of a learning process for the 22-year-old centre-back.
EARN THEIR SPURS
GARETH SOUTHGATE has borrowed Tottenham’s tactics by encouraging his full-backs to bomb on — with great success against Scotland.
Against superior opposition, with a change likely at right-back as Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne looks set to come in, England must try to exploit that area again.
HENDO’S FIELD DAY
JORDAN HENDERSON looked overwhelmed when he captained the country for the first time against Slovenia last month. Tonight, in the absence of Wayne Rooney, he must show the leadership characteristics on the field that he has demonstrated during Liverpool’s rise to the top of the league.
FINE HART
JOE HART has not conceded a goal in England’s three qualifiers but this is a much stiffer test for his defence.
Spain have the pedigree and the players to do some serious damage. Hart, back in form with his loan club Torino, can expect one of his busier nights.
GOALS ADDING UP
SOUTHGATE does not seem the type to build a team around one player but everything is beginning to flow through Adam Lallana. After finally scoring his first goal for England against Slovakia in Sam Allardyce’s only game, Lallana looks to be full of confidence — grabbing his second in Friday’s 3-0 win over Scotland.
Leave a comment