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Poland v England: Gareth Southgate warns against complacency with 100% record on the line


England boss Gareth Southgate in training
Gareth Southgate’s side have won all five of their qualifying games to put them firmly on course for a place at next year’s World Cup in Qatar

England boss Gareth Southgate knows his side cannot become complacent as they look to maintain their 100% record in World Cup qualifying when they face Poland on Wednesday.

The Three Lions are top of Group I having won all five of their games so far.

England’s last two outings ended in 4-0 wins but Southgate expects a tough challenge against second-placed Poland.

“We are in a good moment and the team is playing well,” he said.

“We have a squad of players, any of whom are more than comfortable to play and are playing well.

“But also those moments are dangerous because, if we get any sense of complacency, we are going into a game that will be a challenge.

“It is a high level of motivation but also guarding against a feeling we are better than we are. We are getting a good set of results because we are working hard for each other.”

‘We have huge competition for places’

Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham was one of the players to impress when he came in against Andorra last time out

Southgate will also be buoyed by the fact the recent run of good results has come despite him making a number of changes.

The 51-year-old named completely different starting 11s for the recent games against Hungary and Andorra, and both ended in comfortable 4-0 wins.

Southgate believes that highlights the strength in depth England currently possess.

He added: “You could argue over what is our strongest team but the team that played in Hungary, we were obviously able to rest those guys after the game.

“There is still huge competition for places in this group and it is not so straightforward to say we won that game and this team will go again and give the same level of performance.”

Lewandowski back to face England

Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski has scored three goals in his last two games for Poland

England beat Poland 2-1 at Wembley in March but the visitors were without record goalscorer Robert Lewandowski for that game.

The Bayern Munich striker is back to face England this time, however, and Southgate is aware Poland will pose a different test with him in their side.

“Any team is going to miss a player of that calibre,” he added. “We know he’s one of the best finishers in European football.”

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Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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