BRYAN ROBSON: Harry Kane must demand his England team-mates believe in themselves

BRYAN ROBSON: Harry Kane must demand that the England squad BELIEVE in themselves in the team-talk before they walk out at Wembley… this is a chance to make history

  • England captain Harry Kane needs to ensure the team are confident tonight 
  • His team-mate know they can believe in his ability to score goals as well 
  • A win tonight is chance to regard Gareth Southgate same as Sir Alf Ramsey


Harry Kane must demand his team mates believe in themselves before they walk out at Wembley tonight.

The captain’s address must ensure that everyone in that dressing room is up for the challenge of fighting for each other; be mentally positive, no negatives, do what it takes to win at all costs because ‘you are good enough’.

Every player has to be a captain in their own right tonight, do your job, have your mate’s back, and if we get that right then Harry can become England’s new Captain Marvel against Italy and lead them on to make history.

Harry Kane must demand team-mates believe in themselves before they step out at Wembley

There should be pain from the disappointment of losing the World Cup semi final three years ago. That sick, empty feeling. Do you really want that again? Absolutely not, so go out and win it.

In Harry they have a leader who gets it.

This tournament hasn’t been easy for him but the strength of character he has shown has lifted those around him.

He didn’t start well yet he has maintained a belief in himself and his teammates. Taking that penalty on Wednesday showed his mental toughness.

He doesn’t shout he leads by example and underlining that belief in the guys around him must be part of his rally cry tonight.

A rallying cry to his team-mates could make the difference in getting England over the line

A rallying cry to his team-mates could make the difference in getting England over the line

They know they can believe in Harry too.

To win tournaments you need world class strikers.

Harry is like Gary Lineker was. He would normally only need one chance and it was a goal.

The only game he ever left us scratching our heads was against the Republic of Ireland in 1988 when we created around six chances and Gary didn’t score. In the dressing room we were saying: ‘What happened? He never misses.’ It was a moment that Gary had but quickly moved on from and you sense Harry has gone past ‘his moment’. He’s bang in form and frightening defences.

He’s up against Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci, two wily, physically strong, streetwise defenders. People don’t expect him to get much joy there but trust me, they won’t fancy playing Harry Kane either. He will be up for this fight and will not make it easy for those two. One lapse in concentration for them and he’ll be on their shoulder and he can trust the support he will receive from Raheem Sterling.

Kane is the world class striker tournament-winners need

Bryan Robson was England captain during playing career

Tournament-winners need world class strikers and England stars know they have one in Kane

If Italy give us as many chances as they did Spain, they know they’re in trouble because we will finish better than the Spanish.

The other key area for me will be Mason Mount stopping Jorginho from playing.

Mason couldn’t know Jorginho any better as teammates at Chelsea and stopping that outlet for Italy will be huge. I’ve been impressed with Mason, not just his composure, he has got great energy and he’s playing without fear. He can press mistakes out of Italy and create chances.

I really do believe this team can win it.

They have been the best side in every game they have played and have earned their slices of good fortune on the way. Now they must mentally prepare themselves for going that extra step. The mood of the country suggests the job is already done, that’s the danger but this group have to be mentally tuned to what’s required now.

Gareth Southgate has chance to make history

He can go alongside Sir Alf Ramsey as an tournament-winning manager

Win tonight, and we will talk about Gareth Southgate (left) in same ilk as Sir Alf Ramsey

In Gareth Southgate they have a calm, measured voice telling them what lies ahead.

No one remembers runners-up.

Focus.

Do your job, don’t let your mates down then come midnight we could be talking of Gareth Southgate in the same ilk as Sir Alf Ramsey.