Becky Vardy reveals the secret to England’s World Cup success is down to the lads getting to spend time with their WAGs
The 36-year-old hinted that sex hasn't been explicitly forbidden as 'there is no proof it hinders performance'
BECKY Vardy has revealed our World Cup success is down to Gareth Southgate giving the lads the freedom to score — with their wives and girlfriends.
Becky, wife of striker Jamie Vardy, says the manager has got the lads mentally up for it by allowing them time alone with their loves ones, unlike in previous major tournaments.
Speaking from her St Petersburg hotel, Becky, 36, said: “He’s got the right idea of the team mentality.
“He’s really relaxed with the players and he makes an effort with all of the families. He really encourages family days after games which relaxes the players, it brings a bit of normality in.”
And Becky hinted that sex had not been given the red card during the tournament — adding: “There’s nothing scientifically proven to say that hinders performance.
“If anything it probably excels performance.”
Mum of two Becky has been pictured throughout the tournament looking glamorous as she and the other wives and girlfriends have cheered England on.
But she has had to endure online trolls, who likened them to “ugly Russian bears” and said they should be called the Hags rather than the WAGS.
Becky said: “Have they got nothing better to do? It’s probably a massive fat Russian that doesn’t have any mirrors in the house.
“They just do it to get a reaction. They won’t get one from me.”
At England’s last major tournament, Euro 2016, they crashed out to minnows Iceland.
Becky claims a lack of clear instruction from then coach Roy Hodgson on how often players could see their families affected their performances.
She added: “The Euros was a bit of a mess when it came to family time, no-one really knew what we were doing and I think it caused a bit of unrest. Not that the performance out there was acceptable but there were so many factors that didn’t help.
“Here, they get a certain amount of time which is really nice.”
In the last few days there have been rumours of some players were sneaking into the five-star hotel where the wives and girlfriends are staying for extra private time.
But Becky, who has become the unofficial leader of our WAGs, insists all of the squad are following Gareth’s rules.
She said: “Everyone’s really good. Whatever Gareth says goes, no-one takes the p***.
“And I think that just shows the amount of respect the players have got for him because if you abuse that situation he can turn around next time and say, ‘Well, you messed it up. You’re not doing it’.
“It’s no different to how we bring the kids up, give an inch and you take a mile — and there’s consequences.”
England play Colombia tomorrow, who are just four places below our 12th place FIFA World ranking.
And Becky says we can bounce back from our 1-0 defeat to Belgium and book our place in the quarter finals.
She said: “You’ve got to be optimistic. You’ve got to be going in it to win it.
“Hopefully the players will pick themselves up, dust themselves off and go in with fresh legs.”
Such is the feel-good factor in the England camp that Becky is already making plans for a celebration should skipper Harry Kane gets his hands on the trophy.
Becky said: “If we win The World Cup, the Vardys are having a massive party in the garden.”
Jamie’s World Cup game time has been limited with England No.9 Harry Kane leading the line alone and in good scoring form.
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But Becky says when called upon, Jamie will be ready to go.
She added: “Jamie’s Jamie. He’s always relaxed. Nothing fazes him. I’m not joking when I say that. He’s Mr Laid Back.”
Becky is less relaxed — especially when it comes to contemplating the possibility of another dreaded penalty shoot out.
She said: “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that because I don’t think I’ll be able to cope with the stress.”
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Becky also admitted she has an unlucky charm that she definitely will not be wearing for the rest of the tournament.
She said: “This is going to sound crazy, but in the Euros when we lost to Iceland I had on my necklace on which has a J. I also wore that against Belgium, so it’s not coming out again.
“At first I thought ‘Don’t be so ridiculous!’ But maybe...”
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