DEREK Adams has applauded the “bravery” of Gareth Southgate as he tipped England to make it through to the Euro 2020 final tonight.
The City boss can appreciate Southgate’s strong management not to be swayed by outside influences as the pressure cranks up for the Denmark game at Wembley.
Adams will watch the semi-final with the City squad on a big screen in the training base just outside Glasgow where they will be based until Saturday.
And he has revealed his admiration for Southgate’s single-minded approach to move England to the brink of their biggest achievement since winning the World Cup in 1966.
Adams said: “Gareth Southgate has had to make brave decisions and they are brave because of the outside influences.
“He has used his own mind and staff to pick the personnel and staff that he feels can win the game.
“That has got a flipside to it that if he’d lost, he would come under criticism.
“But I’m always delighted that if a manager has chosen to change the formation and personnel because he thinks that’s the one to win the game, I’m happy for him to get it right.”
Adams admits it is not easy to shut out the white noise but Southgate has stuck to his guns while the media and fans clamour for certain players to be involved.
“You always see when someone’s injured or on the bench, they become a better player in some people’s eyes,” he added. “I’ve found that’s always been the case.
“As a manager, you’ve got to get used to that. You’re always this great person after you’ve gone.
“It helps the more experienced you get to deal with that.
“In my managerial career I’ve always been very clear about what I’ve seen on the training field and in the games and the need to accumulate the information for why I will pick that team or formation for that game.
“There are a few times in your managerial career when you think it might be him or not. That’s something you’ve got to get a feel for on the day.”
Adams expects England to come out on top at Wembley but warns they need to be wary against a Denmark side who have enjoyed recent success against them.
“I think England are doing really well and have given themselves a great opportunity of getting to the final.
“They’ve got a tough team in Denmark who have been able to go undefeated in the last couple of games against them in the Nations League.
“But with Wembley getting 60,000, they will hopefully be too strong for the Danish.
“They do have to be a wee bit careful. Sometimes everybody thinks they are already in the final.
“They have got an opposition against them who have shown they can beat England.
“But I’d say that England’s squad has been very competitive and Gareth Southgate has been able to change it a number of times in games, not only with the formation but personnel as well.”
City are travelling up to Scotland for a four-day training camp and will sit down together for the Wembley showdown. Adams said: “We’ve got in the big screen and everyone will have the chance to watch the game.”
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