England boss Southgate urges aces to stand up to pressure and ‘take ownership’

GARETH SOUTHGATE has told his England stars to ‘own’ the pressure as they head into next month’s World Cup.

The Three Lions will fly to Qatar on the back of a record run of SIX competitive matches without a win — and Nations League RELEGATION.

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And England boss Southgate said: “Of course, the pressure is coming for us.

“You’re going to a World Cup. You would not choose to go into a World Cup with the run of results we’ve had. But, actually, we’re stronger for that. The players have to take some ownership.”

England finished bottom of their Nations League group, while Luke Shaw’s strike in  the 3-3 Wembley draw with Germany was a first goal from open play in 521 MINUTES.

England’s World Cup Group B opener is against Iran on November 21.

Southgate added: “When it’s going well, it’s enjoyable. But it doesn’t breed that hardness  you’re going to need.

“We can play friendlies where  we don’t learn so much about people.

“We’ve been tested against  high-level opposition. Players had to come through more scrutiny, a bit of pressure.

“Whether we want to delay it, make it  comfortable, in the end  that pressure is coming.

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“We have to deal with it. We might as well have it in the lead-in, because it means the players have to step up and take some ownership.

“As a team, we’ll be better for that challenging period.”