TWO-THIRDS of England fans think football’s finally coming home this summer ahead of the Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark.
The Three Lions are two wins away from immortality but boss Gareth Southgate has warned the nation against getting carried away.
Almost 60 per cent of 8,595 fans polled backed England to beat Denmark on Wednesday before triumphing past either Italy or Spain in the final.
A more modest 26.7 per cent felt the country would just fall short while a timid 1156 supporters chose to sit on the fence.
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England’s dominant 4-0 drubbing of Ukraine has sent fans into overdrive but Southgate warned that Denmark – who will be riding ‘a powerful wave of emotion’ – will be a much sterner test.
The football world was stunned when Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest during the Dane’s tournament opener against Finland.
And Southgate said: “We talk about perspective in sport but we rarely have it and this was a moment (Eriksen’s collapse) that brought it home for all of us.
“I can also imagine what it has done for the Danish team, their bond.
“What they went through that day – the way their captain (Simon Kjaer) acted and the way the group was – and how that would have connected with their supporters.
They are riding a wave of emotion for certain and that’s a powerful force that’s coming to Wembley.
Gareth Southgate on Denmark
“That’s pretty powerful. They are riding a wave of emotion for certain and that’s a powerful force that’s coming to Wembley.
“Those things definitely have an impact on your thinking. We talk about pressure a lot and we lose perspective of what that might be when we play sport.
“But I know our players are at their best when they are calm and playing another game and the thinking process is really clear.”
But Harry Maguire is given fans reason to believe after vowing to repay Southgate for the faith shown him after his arrest last year.
He said: “I never feared for my international career. Without getting into too much detail of what went off last summer, I knew where I stood in regards to that.
“I always knew what went off. I’m totally over it. It was a tough time, for sure, but I’ve moved on.
“Gareth’s support of me has been brilliant since I made my debut for England. Ever since, when I’ve been available, I’ve pretty much played in every game possible.
“That gives me great confidence, belief and trust.
“Every time I step on to the pitch I’m trying to repay the faith and the trust.
“I’ve had lots of conversations, lots of texts, lots of phone calls from Gareth. And then speaking to him when I’ve come into camp he’s always there to help.
“It’s impossible to go through a career without having bad moments and making mistakes. Gareth passes on his experiences and the way he handles things and I’m always open to learning and improving.
“I can’t speak highly enough of Gareth and what he has done for me personally and the trust and faith he has put in me.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
