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    England news: Fans' decision to boo Maguire 'a joke', says Southgate

    Planet Sport writerStaff Writer29 March 2022
    Harry Maguire in action for England against Ivory Coast

    Harry Maguire in action for England against Ivory Coast

    England manager Gareth Southgate angered by supporters who jeered Harry Maguire during 3-0 win over Ivory Coast.

    England manager Gareth Southgate blasted fans who booed Harry Maguire at Wembley, labelling their actions "an absolute joke".

    The Manchester United defender was jeered by some sections of the crowd during the early stages of England's 3-0 friendly win over Ivory Coast.

    Southgate said he didn't understand that and said that despite Maguire's dip in form at club level, his displays for England had been "phenomenal".

    'Absolute joke'

    "I thought the reception was a joke, an absolute joke," the manager said.
    "What he has done for us, the way he has performed for England, I don't get it.
    "We are either in this all together or we are not."
    Southgate added on Sky Sports: "He is in an England shirt and not only should you support a player in an England shirt regardless, but when he has played at the level he has and put the performances in for us he has, it should be total commitment behind him.
    "I don't get that at all."

    Southgate suggested such fans could have jumped on a bandwagon created by former players. Roy Keane has been a notable recent critic.

    "Some are influenced by whatever, I don't know if it's social media, or if it's players who have played previously who are influencing opinion.
    "Obviously the club situation is difficult but he's in an England shirt.
    "It's never been acceptable. Why are people going to play any better? Fans should always get behind their team."

    England 'can win' World Cup

    On the pitch, the victory continued England's strong start to the year, one Southgate hopes will end in World Cup glory on December 18 in Qatar.
    But is that realistic? Southgate believes so.
    "I think we are one of a group of teams who can win," he added. "We've got to be faultless to do that.
    "This is an exciting group of players ot work with. We have to keep pushing because even today at 2-0 we gave a poor foul away and a free kick they they should've scored from. You can't afford those aberrations of concentration."
    Meanwhile, Ollie Watkins is hoping to play out "every boy's dream" by forcing his way into England's World Cup squad.
    The Aston Villa striker pressed his claims by scoring during an impressive display.

    Watkins' Qatar dream

    Watkins, who wasn't even named in Southgate's original squad for the March internationals, started the game in place of Harry Kane and felt he couldn't have done much more to put his name forward to be on the plane to the Middle East in November.
    "I have done all I can tonight and we will go from there," he told Sky Sports.
    "It is every boy's dream to play at a World Cup, it is where all the superstars play, probably the biggest competition in the world.
    "That is the dream, but I have to take each step at a time."
    Watkins opened the scoring, tapping home a low cross from Raheem Sterling, the stand-in captain who doubled the advantage just before half time.

    Ollie Watkins and Raheem Sterling celebrate during England's friendly v Ivory Coast

    In between, former Spurs right-back Serge Aurier had been dismissed after picking up a second yellow card for dissent.
    England had dominated prior to the red card and continued in the same vein after it.
    They were rewarded with a third goal in injury time when Tyrone Mings headed home from a corner.
    Next up for the Three Lions is the start of their Nations League campaign with their opening game coming on June 4 away to Hungary.
    READ MORE: Get all the details about Friday's World Cup draw, including seedings and all the qualified teams so far

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