Stuart Pearce says England are not strong enough to win World Cup

Former England captain Stuart Pearce does not believe Gareth Southgate's side are strong enough to win the World Cup in Russia.

Pearce, who also managed England U21s, has been impressed by the impact his former England colleague Southgate has made since taking over as England boss from Sam Allardyce but thinks the team will struggle to last the distance in Russia.

"I don't think we've got a strong enough team and squad to win the tournament," the 56-year-old said. "But I see us coming out of the group stages. Then the draw's absolutely critical."

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Pearce singled out Southgate's use of a back three and feels the system could be a key factor if England are to get out of the group stages.

He said: "It suits us to play three at the back and I hope we play three at the back.

"We've played very well, certainly in my time as a player, in my time being managed by people who played three at the back. When this generation of England players have played it, it's looked very good.

"Kyle Walker's moved in one and looked very good as a central defender, and we've got wide players in the likes of Danny Rose and Ashley Young on one side and Kieran Trippier on the other that look as though they could comfortably be wing-backs as well as full-backs.

"When you're defending you can defend as a five - you're leaving smaller spaces then. It gives the wing-back the opportunity to stay high and wide. It's easier to switch play in that system.

"It enables you to play a tight midfield three when you want, so you've got big numbers in the centre of the pitch, which is historically where the goals are scored and conceded. There are so many benefits."

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