Don't write off England's World Cup hopes says skipper Gerrard after THAT Greg Dyke speech
Don't write off England's World Cup hopes says skipper Gerrard after THAT Greg Dyke speech
FA chairman may doubt the Three Lions can succeed if they get to Brazil 2014 but captain insists they can make nation proud
Rio bravo: Gerrard knows England won't be favourites but rejects idea he's wasting his time
Michael Regan - The FA
Steven Gerrard insists England are not "weak" and no-one should write them off as World Cup no-hopers.
FA chairman Greg Dyke claimed on Wednesday that Roy Hodgson's men are not realistic contenders to win the World Cup next year, assuming they do actually reach the finals in Brazil.
Liverpool
and England captain Gerrard is understood to be in support of Dyke's
push for a radical shake-up to try and improve English football, but was
also eager to insist this qualification campaign is not a waste of
time.
Gerrard said: "I don't think we're as weak as has been suggested.
"Realistically, everyone in the room knows we're not going to be one of the bookies' favourites to win the World Cup.
"It
doesn't mean we can't get there and have a successful tournament to
make the country proud. But we don't want to get ahead of ourselves. Our
priority is to get there first.
"To qualify is the challenge. We
want to qualify for the World Cup, go there and make the nation proud.
We can do that without winning it.
"Playing at a World Cup is the pinnacle of any footballer's dream as a kid - especially in Brazil." Living the dream: Will England join World Cup mascot Fuleco next summer?
Buda Mendes - FIFA
England boss Hodgson has also supported Dyke's push for
change but claimed that the FA chairman writing off their chances was
not negative.
Hodgson added: "I don't think any of you will be
racing out to place bets on England to win the World Cup either. Our
first job is to get there and work very hard with the young guys so
that, when we get there, they can help the older guys.
"We don't
believe our chairman sees anything as a doomed mission. He also said in
his speech how much he supports the team and hopes we get to Brazil and
do well. I don't think he's giving up on the team. That would be harsh
on him and even harsher on the team.
"We don't see it that way. None of us, with the team, ever saw it in that way.
"We don't believe our chairman sees anything as a doomed mission.
"He also said in his speech how much he supports the team and hopes we get to Brazil and do well.
"I don't think he's giving up on the team. That would be harsh on him and even harsher on the team."
Will England qualify for World Cup 2014?
* UKRAINE coach Mykhailo Fomenko has set up a spying mission for Friday's match at Wembley, writes John Cross.
Ahead
of his lads' showdown with England in Kiev next Tuesday, Fomenko has
sent one of his assistants to watch England’s clash with Moldova even
though Ukraine are playing no-hopers San Marino.
It is understood
Ukraine rarely send such senior members of staff to watch opposition
games, but they are drawing up a battle plan to thwart England.
Moldova
are ranked by FIFA as the 123rd best international team in the world - a
full 109 places lower than England - but held Ukraine to a goalless
draw at home.
However, Moldova coach Ion Caras sighed: “A draw with England would be a miracle for Moldova.” Paddy Power's betting guide to the World Cup Qualifiers this weekend
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