Jamie Carragher insists England fans must stop doubting Gareth Southgate after Wales victory

Jamie Carragher has insisted that it is time to stop doubting Gareth Southgate, as his calming influence once again proved correct.

The Three Lions have topped their group after sealing a 3-0 victory over Wales in their final match of the group-stages at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Boss Southgate rotated his starting line-up for the clash to revive the team with some fresh legs and it proved to be the right call.

England topped their group at the 2022 World Cup after sealing a 3-0 victory over Wales

It is time for Three Lions fans to stop doubting boss Gareth Southgate after he got it right again

Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden, Jordan Henderson, and Kyle Walker were brought in to replace Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Mason Mount and Kieran Trippier.

But perhaps the more impressive factor is that Southgate seems to stick to his game plan, regardless of the criticism he faces, and even managed to rest a few players while picking up a comfortable victory.

The former Liverpool defender Carragher believes the Three Lions boss got it right once again with those changes for the Wales clash.

Pundit Jamie Carragher believes Southgate’s calm influence helps at major tournaments

He even had the bigger picture of the competition in mind – handing opportunities to important players and playing two more defensive minded midfielders, which could be the way to go should they meet France in the quarter-finals further down the road.

In his column with The Telegraph, he said: ‘All hail Gareth Southgate. He gets it right again. There is a critical difference between Southgate and every England manager of the last 30 years: his ability to drown out the noise and focus on the bigger picture.

‘Southgate never panics, is never rattled by criticism and never makes knee-jerk decisions. Amid the hysteria of an international tournament, he is the figure of calm England have too often lacked.  

‘Southgate’s strength in every major competition in which he has led the country is to stick to his plan, no matter whether there is a bump in the road. 

‘He has taken all the knowledge he consumed as an England player and applied it brilliantly as the national coach.

‘When I saw the team sheet against Wales on Tuesday night, it felt like Southgate was thinking two games ahead and the possibility of meeting France in the quarter-final.’

Marcus Rashford (left) and Phil Foden (right) did not perform like they were under pressure

He added: ‘His demeanour transmits to the players and ensures they look ahead rather than dwell on criticism. Look at the performances of Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden against Wales. 

‘They did not perform like they were under pressure, carrying the weight of a nation’s expectations, or like they had something to prove to the coach. They played like they knew Southgate had their back.’

Next up, it’s a clash with Senegal in the last-16 of the competition with the aim of yet another successful major tournament after reaching the semi-finals at the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020.

Southgate knows Kyle Walker will be key, hence why he handed him his first start in Wales win

A key player should England progress into the latter stages of the tournament will no doubt be Manchester City’s Kyle Walker – therefore a wise decision to include him against Wales.  

‘Kyle Walker’s inclusion was as much about the next two weeks as the 90 minutes against Wales. 

‘For England to make the semi finals they are going to have to play France and Kylian Mbappe at some point. Walker’s pace would be essential. There is no doubt that is on Southgate’s mind.’