Raheem Sterling and Joe Gomez: Gareth Southgate has made right call, says Gary Neville – Sky Sports, Skysports.com
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Neville: “There’s nothing worse than sweeping it under the carpet, and the players going back to their own rooms having that feeling that they’re all talking about you being weak”
Gareth Southgate will not select Raheem Sterling against Montenegro
(Sky Sports News) understands Sterling tried to grab Gomez round the neck at St Georges’ Park after taking offence when Liverpool defender Gomez said, “You think you’re the big man now “in the players’ canteen.
Gomez reacted angrily and the two players were separated by team-mates but the players later apologized to each other and agreed to put the mat
Former England full-back Neville believes Southgate has acted decisively to prevent any further dressing-room unrest on a matter concerning such a high-profile player.
Joe Gomez and Sterling square up at Anfield towards the end of Super Sunday
Neville toldSky Sports: “I’ve been involved in quite a few of these things over the years with England and there is no right or wrong in a way, in the sense that I’ve seen managers sweep it under the carpet, and try to keep a low profile on these sorts of things.
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“I’ve also seen managers go public, as Gareth has. What I would say is that the decision that Gareth has made … I feel like it’s the right one without knowing the detail of what’s gone on.
“There’s nothing worse than sweeping it under the carpet, and then all the players going back to their own rooms they all share together, and having that feeling that they’re all talking about you being weak, and that you’ve not dealt with it because he’s a big player and that he’s shied away from a big decision.
(0:)Raheem Sterling and Joe Gomez’s altercation has led to the Manchester City forward being dropped for England’s European Qualifier against Montenegro
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Raheem Sterling and Joe Gomez’s altercation has led to the Manchester City forward being dropped for England’s European Qualifier against Montenegro
“So I feel that it’s the right decision. Ultimately, if it’s an incident that’s happened in front of the rest of the squad that couldn’t be dealt with internally and there was a breach of discipline then the manager has to act.
“Sometimes it can cause you some problems down the line, because players can then go back to their own rooms, and say ‘the manager’s been harsh, there – he’s one of our best mates, he’s one of our best players.
“But at least, if you’re the manager, you know you’ve made the right decision based upon your principles and your values - that’s what you should go with.
“I’ve seen incidents like this dealt with in both ways with England and there is no ideal because it’s so public and the media want their pound of flesh, including ourselves. But the reality is that these things happen in football, and it will blow over. “
What message has Southgate sent?
Gary Neville says Gareth Southgate has acted decisively over Raheem Sterling
Neville added: “Southgate’s message is clear: he won ‘ t accept club rivalry coming into England.
“I was part of a Manchester United team who had rivalries with Liverpool and Chelsea and there was a sense that it carried over into internationals at times .
“But I feel that hasn’t been there in the last three or four years. I feel the spirit has been good.
Gary Neville, Steven Gerrard, and David Beckham in England training in 2004
“I feel players socialize away from the game a lot more now and a lot of the young England teams have created a bond since they were kids that they’ve kept on the pathway through to the first team.
“When we were playing, it wasn’t as much like that.
” You can imagine, if we were playing Liverpool on the Sunday and we were at each other with Paul Scholes, myself, Nicky Butt and David Beckham agai nst Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Robbie Fowler, there wasn’t a great deal of spirit between us and we didn’t particularly like each other – and that carried over.
” I don’t think Gareth Southgate is going to accept that in terms of camaraderie. “
Referee Michael Oliver talks with Sterling at Anfield on Sunday
Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol …
‘Gareth Southgate has been firm but fair . The last thing he wants is for cliques to appear in his squad like the days when Manchester United and Liverpool players used to eat at separate tables.
‘As a leader, Southgate had three options in this case. He could have downplayed it and dealt with it behind closed doors, he could have sent Raheem Sterling home or he could have dropped him from the next game.
‘By choosing option three he has kept arguably his best player in his squad as well as sending a strong message that he will not tolerate club rivalries disrupting the peace and harmony at St George’s Park. ‘
‘If it had been more testing opposition, would Southgate have dropped Raheem Sterling ? We don’t know. But this harks back to England’s bad days.
‘When Southgate came in, he made a really big step to move Wayne Rooney on from this England squad and he moved on some big personalities .
5: 23Sky Sports News reporters Rob Dorsett and Kaveh Solhekol explain how Raheem Sterling’s row with Joe Gomez unfolded in the England camp.
Sky Sports News reporters Rob Dorsett and Kaveh Solhekol explain how Raheem Sterling’s row with Joe Gomez unfolded in the England camp.
‘He’s made a big play for having unity in this England camp. It’s what took them to the World Cup semi-finals in Russia and it’s played such a huge part with all the racism issues they’ve had to deal with.
‘He wants this to be a close-knit group, so if there are any signs of divisions in terms of club loyalties, that will be a worry for Southgate.
‘The most pleasing thing for him will be that Joe Gomez appealed on behalf of Sterling and Jordan Henderson came in to act as a peacemaker between everybody. It’s the squad sorting it out for themselves. ‘
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