Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Steven Gerrard Calls For Return Of Fan Power


Steven Gerrard believes England’s fans can make the difference in South Africa as Fabio Capello’s side begin their World Cup build-up in earnest.

The bulk of England’s World Cup squad jetted out of Heathrow yesterday morning for the first of their two altitude training camps in Austria.

Gerrard was among 24 players on the trip, which is being used as preparation for England’s opening group game on June 12 against the United States at Rustenburg – 1,500 metres above sea level.

The only men were the five players involved in Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley, plus Gareth Barry, who continues to have treatment on the ankle injury that makes him a major doubt for the finals.

England return home to face Mexico in a friendly next Monday before another spell in Austria that includes a friendly against Japan in Graz on May 30, after which Capello will name his 23-man finals squad on June 1.

A large number of England supporters are expected to make the journey to South Africa, with Capello’s men also likely to enjoy a degree of local backing.

And vice-captain Gerrard is convinced those fans can play a part as England aim for a first major tournament success since 1966.

“The fans see that we’re working really hard to improve and we’re desperate to achieve something for them,” said Gerrard. “That is what we do it for.

“It would be fantastic if we could send them home from South Africa really happy and really proud of the team.

“I’ve played in situations where the fans haven’t been behind the team and it’s difficult. It affects performance and individuals and it’s not helpful.

“But on the other hand, I’ve played in front of a packed Wembley when the fans are roaring us on to victory and it’s a massive help.

“If we can get that kind of support in the World Cup, it could be key for us in getting over this quarter-final hurdle and going further.

“That’s the message I’d like to send to the fans – get behind us, roar us on and it will definitely help us out there.”

Meanwhile, new Liverpool signing Jonjo Shelvey has been tipped to emerge as an heir to Gerrard’s midfield mantle at Anfield.

Rafael Benitez moved to snap up the England youth international from Charlton Athletic earlier this month for an initial £1.7million with further potential payments depending on domestic and international appearances.

And Charlton’s academy director Steve Gritt believes the acquisition will prove a shrewd piece of business.

“Even before he made his debut, we knew Jonjo was a special player,” said Gritt.

“He’s the kind that only comes through an academy system once in a while. From a very young age, everybody at the club believed that he would progress to become a Premier League player because he had so much potential. Now I am certain he’ll fulfil all that early promise.

“The last few years have seen development in terms of height and strength. I’m sure he’s still got a bit of weight to put on and when he does he’ll have that Premier League presence that is a minimum requirement these days.

“It has been said in the past, and I have to agree that he has a bit of Gerrard in him. He can get box to box, he’s got a very good range of passing and he can see an opportunity where others can’t. He’s the kind of player that if he sees a goalkeeper off his line 30-40 yards out, he’s precocious enough to shoot.

“If he’s got any faults, he’d probably admit that he’s got to improve on the defensive side of the game. Because he’s such an attacking player, naturally there are going to be aspects of his defensive game that he’ll have to improve. I’m sure he will.”

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