MOSCOW,July2--EnglandcoachGarethSouthgatebelieveshisplyershavegivensupportersreasontodreamagainastheypreparetofaceColombiaonTuesdayforaplaceintheWorldCupquarterfinalswithhopesofprogressingevenfurtherinthetournament.
SouthgatetookovertheEnglandjobafterSamAllardyce'sshorttenureinchargeinthewakeofRoyHodgson'sdeparturefollowingthedepressingexitfromthe2016EuropeanChampionships,whichmarkedalowpointforEngland.Althoughtheywereunbeatenintheirqualifyingcampaign,WembleyStadiumwasneverfullforagameandonseveraloccasiontheplayerswerebooedbytheirfans.
"TenmonthsagowequalifiedandpeoplewerethrowingpaperaeroplanesontothepitchatWembley,"saidSouthgate.
"WeweredrivingbacktoourhotelinMaltawithsomeobscenechantsbeingthrownatusfromsupporters,"saidtheEnglandcoach,whonoticesachangeafterimpressivedisplaysinwarm-upgamesandwinsagainstTunisiaandPanamatostarttheWorldCup.
"Ifeellikewe'vestartedtoconnecttheteamwiththepublicagain.Ifeellikewe'vecreatedexcitement,likewe'veplayedinastylethathasreallyshownanexpressionofwhatyoungEnglishplayersarecapableof,"hesaidonSkyNews.
SpeakingtothepressonSunday,EnglandmidfielderJesseLingardlookedaheadtotheColombiagamesayingtheSouthAmericanswerea"toughandphysicalside,butweareawareofourqualitiesandourthreats."
HealsopraisedColombianstrikerRadamelFalcao,whohadanunsuccessfulspellatEnglandwithManchesterUnitedandChelsea,butwhohasreturnedtoforminFrance.
"Heisagreatfinisherinandaroundthebox,butwehavetobeawareofitanddealwithit,"saidLingard.