The people of Ireland are contemplating the previously unthinkable prospect of supporting England at a World Cup with the tournament starting in four days.
The Three Lions head to Russia with little expectation of winning the trophy and have a host of exciting young players at their disposal.
David McWilliams and Johnny Ward joined Joe Molloy on the Sunday Paper Review to discuss England’s chances of glory in Russia and whether or not they will be supporting Gareth Southgate’s side.
“I think Gareth Southgate was viewed in club management as being too nice to be a proper football manager,” Ward said.
“But I think international football maybe requires a different role. There’s something strange about this England team – there’s not much hype – and they don’t have a lot of obvious stars.
“There was talk of going into some England camps and how they divided they were and how there were separate camps within the camp. And the northerners and the southerners wouldn’t really mingle.
“In the [Steven] Gerrard and [Frank] Lampard era this was apparently a thing. I just find this England team is going to be very intriguing.
“I find them less dislikeable than other teams.
“We traditionally in the republic and in the north [of Ireland] don’t want England to win at football. And a lot of that has to do with memories of Lansdowne Road and that their fans don’t come across as particularly likeable.
“But I don’t see why you’d have a big issue. There’s no fanfare and there doesn’t seem to be much of an ego about them. And Southgate is definitely a likeable guy.”
James Hopper
