Pat Nevin: Southgate should let England loose in Germany (Interview for Newbettingsites.uk)

Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin has told NewBettingSites.uk that he believes England manager Gareth Southgate should let England loose against their Euro 2024 opponents in Germany and have faith in his squad selection.

Read more on what he had to say below.

Gareth Southgate needs to stick to his guns and let England loose

Nevin spoke on England’s chances at the Euros, most notably his thoughts on Gareth Southgate and the squad he’s decided to take with him to Germany.

I'm delighted that Gareth Southgate has done the right things in his England squad selection. It was harsh on some people, on Jack Grealish for instance, but there are two or three that are at the other end of their career.

Southgate has brought in younger talents like Cole Palmer and Eberechi Eze and in reality, they were the better players last season, they absolutely were. He had to be brave and if England are going to win it, he’s going to have to carry on being brave and not be frightened or ultra-cautious.

If he can get as many of those creative players on the field as possible, it may well be that you win the game 4-3 as opposed to 1-0 but, so be it. They need to use their real strengths which are Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane.

Winning in such a beautiful, positive way would bring as much joy almost as the 1966 World Cup. My message to Gareth is to let them loose. Not only could it be a tournament win, it could be one of the greatest, being loved by the rest of world football.

Tournament is wide open

Although he is impressed with England’s prospects, Nevin admits there are plenty of other nations in contention for this year’s European Championship trophy.

I think England are joint-favourites with France, I can’t ignore them. France's second team probably get to the semi-finals – they're not looking bad for strength and depth.

But, if you look around, who thought the Italians would win when they won? Would I write off the Portuguese? No chance. Watch out for them. And if somebody said to you, Germany got to the final, would you be shocked with that, either? This is going to be a cracker of a championship.

The French are favourites along with England but if neither of them got to the final, I wouldn't be surprised. I am so excited about this tournament because I this is up there with the most open we've ever had.

Other Interviews for Newbettingsites.UK:

• Stephen Warnock: Klopp departure put pressure on the team – but there’s always pressure playing for Liverpool
  
• Jim Culloty: BHA are making changes to pander to anti horse racing mob
  
• Nigel Winterburn: Arsenal must improve in attack to create ‘perfect performance’
  
• Alan Smith: Arsenal’s defence stands them in good stead for title race (Interview for Newbettingsites.UK)
  
• Neil “Razor” Ruddock: Saudi Arabia will be Mo Salah’s next move ( Interview for Newbettingsites.UK)
  
• Mark Hateley: Rangers have as good a chance as any in Europa League ( Interview for Newbettingsites.UK)
• Gus Poyet Interview for Newbettingsites.UK
• Shaun Wright-Phillips Interview for Newbettingsites.uk