MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 00:36:34| >> :60:3321:3321:

Gareth Southgate: 'England cannot simply write off 2018 World Cup'

Gareth Southgate insists that England "cannot go to a World Cup and not try to win it" ahead of the group stage draw for Russia 2018.

Gareth Southgate has stressed that England "cannot go to a World Cup and not try to win it".

The draw for next summer's tournament in Russia takes place from 3pm on Friday, with the Three Lions in the second pot of seeded teams.

England have suffered disappointment in recent major tournaments, not winning a knockout game since the 2006 World Cup in Germany, but Southgate does not want a defeatist attitude to set in.

"We've got to attempt to win each game, be as prepared as we can be, and see how far we can go," the 47-year-old told BBC Sport.

"Of course, a lot of these players are going to peak in two to four years' time, but we can't just write off the tournament. I don't think anyone in England would accept that. We can't go to a World Cup and not try to win it.

"Our last two tournaments have been a disappointment. We've got to remember where we are starting from with this group of young players. But equally they're fiercely ambitious, everything is ahead of them and it's not for me to put a limit on their expectations."

England were eliminated at the first knockout stage at Euro 2016, Euro 2012 and the 2010 World Cup, failed to progress from the group stage at the 2014 World Cup, and did not reach Euro 2008.

ID:313099: cacheID:313099:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2138:
Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Kyle Walker in action for Manchester City against Brighton & Hove Albion on August 12, 2017
Read Next:
Walker: 'England feels like club football'
>
Read more about Gareth Southgate Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!