England coach: We can win the World Cup if Three Lions play to their potential
Under-20s boss Paul Williams lays down the challenge to his youngsters ahead of South Korea showpiece
ENGLAND can win the World Cup if players perform to their full potential, claims the Three Lions boss.
No, Gareth Southgate has not made that bold prediction ahead of Tuesday’s qualifier in Slovenia.
That is the opinion of Under-20s head coach Paul Williams after his side romped to victory in a mini international tournament over the last week.
Former Coventry, Derby and Southampton defender Williams took charge of his country for the first time following Aidy Boothroyd’s move to replace Southgate and take charge of the U21s.
And the 45-year-old got off to a dream start as his side defeated Holland 2-0, Germany 3-1 and the USA 2-0 on Monday to lift the prize.
The competition was put together to help the squad prepare for next year’s U20 World Cup in South Korea.
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And, having witnessed the talents within the age-group at first-hand, Williams is confident his men can go all the way in the Far East as long as they continue their work ethic.
Williams said: “I believe this group are an outstanding group.
“If they play to their full potential and level then we can go as far as possible in the competition.
“I’ve learned lots about the players from the whole camp, but you are always learning.
“We told them that this could be us at the end of the season in terms of our World Cup qualifying group.
“I’m pleased for the players and that people can recognise how good they are and that they won the tournament this week.”
After two impressive victories over the Dutch and Germans, the Young Lions struggled to break down a resolute US backline at Rochdale.
But perseverance paid off, and after a much better showing in the second half, they deservedly sealed the win with late strikes from Ovie Ejaria and Dominic Solanke.
Williams was pleased with how his side figured out a way past their stubborn opponents, and he believes that overcoming problems themselves out on the pitch instead of just relying on their manager is the best way for them to learn.
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Williams added: “Credit to the US, they’ve seen the two games that we have played and blocked it off for us so we had to use the wide areas in the second half.
“The players came up with their best work in those wide areas second half and we had a bit more territory and were a bit more composed in the final third.
“At this age they have to go out and learn and find different solutions.
“It’s no use looking at the coach and by-line and asking us to come up with a solution – they need to find it themselves.
“So sometimes it might look a bit slow and lumbered and balls getting played back to the goalkeeper, but they have to learn how to get out of those situations.
“When we go to the World Cup they will have different scenarios that the coach cannot always solve for them.”
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