GARETH SOUTHGATE called on England’s fans to unite behind his team.
Unhappy supporters booed the Three Lions and chanted “we’re f*****g s**t” during Friday’s flattering 4-0 win over minnows Malta.
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Ahead of tonight’s crunch clash with Slovakia at Wembley, Southgate said: “What I hope is that the fans really get behind us.”
Defeat in the Group D match with the second-place Slovaks could mean a play-off to qualify for the World Cup finals in Russia next summer.
Southgate added: “There is nothing better than playing in your own stadium, feeling the fans are a huge advantage for you and intimidating the opposition.
“It’s not for the fans to pull their weight, it’s for us to do that. But if the fans are really positive it can have a big effect. They’re proud Englishmen like we are.
“They pay and want us to win and perform. We get that. But it will be a much better experience for all of us if we’re all united.”
The England coach admits his stars were aware of the abuse they received in Valletta, and said: “If you’re going to be top players you have to cope with everything.
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“Is it helpful for the team? I don’t see how it can be. But we have to just get on and perform.”
A 70,000 crowd is expected at Wembley.
And Southgate added: “I understand our job is to entertain and excite the supporters.
“But we want to get to a World Cup. The notion the players aren’t proud to play is outrageous.
“They’re unbelievably proud to play. They might not play as well as they’d like to sometimes but there’s no one not giving their 100 per cent.”
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Southgate admitted some of his contemporaries had not been keen on call-ups.
He said: “I’ve played in teams where people were there every time and others weren’t.”
Asked if it was with England, he said: “Absolutely. That’s why some people get 50, 60 or 70 caps and others, who may be good players, don’t.”
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