England should have 'tremendous confidence' for Qatar World Cup claims Gareth Southgate

Published

12 months ago

March 25, 2022

[ad_1]

England boss Gareth Southgate has told his players they can go to Qatar knowing they will never be under as much pressure to win a tournament as they were last summer. The Three Lions’ achievement in reaching their first major final since 1966 has shown them the way going into this November’s tournament.

And without the additional expectation of playing in a predominantly home tournament, he is confident that his side has the best chance possible of finally lifting a major trophy once more. “I said this to the players the other day,” he revealed. “They’ll never experience pressure like they felt last summer.

“To be in a European Championship where the majority of the games were Wembley and never been to a final for 50 years… they’ve lived through enormous pressure so that should give them tremendous confidence in what they’re capable of.”

World-class players such as Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling will be in their 30s by the time of the next World Cup, but Southgate refused to see this as a once-in-a-generation chance to end all those years of hurt.

“For some players, of course, the chances are there will be less likelihood of a lot more tournaments – although all of them could go to the next European Championship,” he said. “For some of the younger ones, though, they could have another four or five so that immediacy won’t feel the same to them.

“Of course you have no way of knowing as a player whether the next one is your best opportunity or the one in three tournaments’ time so you’ve got to cherish every moment of it that’s for certain.”

Back in pride of place on the wall in one of the offices on the second floor of the football centre at St George’s Park, the countdown clock ticks down another second. Born from a historic parallel, it quickly became a challenge.

Then in the darker recent days of English football it became more of an embarrassment and was unceremoniously tucked away in a draw. Since Southgate breathed fresh belief into the national game, it has become more of a gentle reminder that there is nothing wrong with daring to dream.

Yet through all that time it has always pointed towards the start of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Clairefontaine was established in the leafy fields southwest of Paris in 1988 and 10 years later France finally lifted the World Cup for the first time in its history.

So shortly after the inauguration of St George’s Park in 2012, former FA chairman Greg Dyke identified this year’s tournament as the occasion when all the investment should pay off. Brazenly, those involved in the project almost immediately rose to the challenge and funded a countdown clock to keep those at England’s heart of football focused on the task.

At the same time, other significant events were occurring in English football. Kane was beginning a series of loan spells as he built his career at Tottenham and Sterling that year first pulled on a senior shirt for Liverpool. They would both be among the first few players to benefit from being called away on international duty to this newly-developed centre just outside Burton to feature in the junior England teams.

By November this year – and yes, the clock needed a swift reset when FIFA decided to make this a winter tournament – both players will be hovering close to their 30th birthdays. While Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham hint at successful tournaments to come, this has not felt more like the coming of age of a golden generation since the disappointing 2006 World Cup. It was shortly after that disaster that the Countdown clock was first hidden away.

The trouble was, Sven Goran Eriksson never seemed to know how to make the best of talents such as Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen. These days, though, if that countdown clock suddenly went into overdrive and the World Cup started tomorrow, Gareth Southgate would know exactly what to do. “Well we would always know whatever 11 would be if we played tomorrow,” Southgate said.

“At any point over the six years we’ve been in charge if we had a game we had to win tomorrow we would know what our best 11, would be and if we had to play tomorrow we would know what that would be.”

The point of the friendlies against Switzerland today and the Ivory Coast on Tuesday is to look at some of the “what ifs”. With the Nations League giving a more competitive edge to the last six internationals before the World Cup, this is the last chance really to experiment, and the final opportunity for the genuine outsiders to stake a claim.

Sterling, playing an ambassadorial role in Jamaica this week, is unlikely to start, but Southgate also has to focus on giving that first eleven a chance to tick. Not all of it will go like clockwork. But England’s players will be in no doubt that time is now very much of the essence.

[ad_2]

Related Topics:039tremendous claims confidence039 Cup England Gareth Qatar Southgate World

Click to comment

Tech

The Top Signs Your Computer May Be Infected With Malware

Published

4 days ago

March 20, 2023

fangbites

Malware is a type of malicious software that can cause problems on your computer. It can also steal your information or destroy it.

Cybercriminals often use phishing techniques to spread malware, sending emails that trick you into clicking on links or opening attachments. These emails can lead to a virus infection on your computer.

(more…)

News

Effective Communication Strategies for Addressing Wage Garnishments With Employees

Published

5 days ago

March 19, 2023

fangbites

Wage garnishments can be a big deal for employers and their employees. According to ADP RI, approximately 7% of the workforce is affected by wage garnishments.

(more…)

News

Comparing Solar Panel Costs And Energy Savings – What You Need to Know

Published

1 week ago

March 15, 2023

fangbites

It’s vital to compare solar panel costs with energy savings before you decide to go solar. How much you save will depend on your local electricity rates, power usage, and solar system size. In addition, your solar system’s efficiency will also factor into the payback period. The more efficient your panels are, the faster you’ll recoup your initial investment.

Payback Period

When deciding whether to invest in solar panels, homeowners often want to know how much money do solar panels save and how long it will take them to break even on their upfront costs. This is referred to as the payback period. The average solar panel payback period is around 7 to 10 years, but it can vary based on your area’s energy cost and available incentives. The most important factor to consider when calculating your payback period is the total cost of your solar system minus any incentives, such as the federal tax credit or state and local rebates. Another critical factor to consider when figuring out your payback period is the efficiency of your solar panels. Modern panels retain around 80% generation efficiency for their average 25-year lifespan. A final factor to consider is the price of electricity in your area. Electricity rates vary by state, and they can change frequently.

During the past 25 years, national electricity rates have increased an average of about 3% per year. This can make it more difficult to predict how long it will take for your solar panels to pay for themselves, especially if rates go up. One way to get a better idea of how long it will take for your solar panels and savings to pay for themselves is by comparing quotes from multiple installers. With multiple binding quotes from vetted solar companies, you can quickly determine your payback period and decide whether or not solar is right for you!

Energy Savings

Solar panels are a major energy-saving investment for homeowners, potentially saving them money over time. They generate their electricity, use it to power lights and appliances at home or sold back to the electric company.

The amount you can expect to save depends on where you live and the size of your system. For example, a 5 kW system can be installed for around $18,000 to $20,000.

To calculate how much you will save, log in to your electricity company account and get an estimate of your current electric bill. This will consider how your household uses energy, the average cost of electricity in your area, and what net metering policies are in place. After you’ve determined your savings, calculate the payback period of your solar system. This will depend on how many panels you install, your average energy usage and how quickly you can sell excess electricity back to the utility company. During your solar system’s first year, you’ll likely spend a small amount on installation costs. However, the savings you’ll earn from your system over time can compensate for that expense. You’ll save money on your energy bills within a few years of installing your solar panel system. You’ll also benefit from a 30% tax credit, which can help you pay off your system faster and save even more money over time.

Tax Credits

While solar panels are more expensive than utility power, there are many tax credits that you can claim to help offset the cost. These can include state and federal rebates, as well as other incentives. The federal government offers a tax credit that can cover 30% of the cost of solar panels. This is known as the Investment Tax Credit (ITC). It is available to homeowners, as well as businesses and farms. You can claim this nonrefundable credit against your federal income taxes. This credit can be claimed by anyone who has purchased a new residential solar energy system before December 31, 2023, and installed it during the tax year. You can also claim it if you have an existing residential solar system that you are using to heat your home or a pool or hot tub. If you are installing a new system, it must be in service during the year and produce electricity to operate your household. The tax credit will be credited on your next tax filing.

Maintenance

Solar panels are designed to last a long time but can still be damaged by extreme weather. These include lightning, hurricanes, hail storms and tornadoes. It is recommended to have your system checked annually, especially if you live in an area that experiences extreme weather. A professional can assess the damage and suggest the best solution. Repairs can range from a few hundred dollars to a couple of thousand, depending on the severity of the issue. Maintenance costs can also increase if you have more than one panel or a system with several panels on the same roof. These systems may require more time to install and access the panels.

Most solar companies recommend annual inspections and panel cleaning at least twice yearly. This is so the panels don’t become obstructed with dust, leaves and pollen that can significantly reduce their electricity output.

In addition, it is a good idea to clean the panels after every major rainfall. During this process, the professionals can remove any dirt or pollen that builds up on the panels over time. The average cost for solar panel cleaning is around $12-20 per panel. Warranties don’t typically cover this service, so you must budget.