England expects as Roy Hodgson battles against the Three Lions disappointing history
Moment of truth for Roy's boys as big kick-off will reveal this young teams true potential when they begin against Russia
THE moment of truth has finally arrived.
England start another major tournament with excitement rippling through this young team and an army of expectant fans.
After years of disappointment we yearn for something fresh. A different story. Surely Roy Hodgson, in his third major tournament as England’s head coach, has learned the ropes by now.
It is easy to be seduced, to wave patriotic flags in the direction of the players when they walk out at the
Stade Velodrome. Paint your face, revive memories of England’s run to the semi-finals of Euro 96 by belting out ‘It’s Coming Home’.
There is no better time to get the juices flowing and to be caught up in all the razzamatazz than during a summer football tournament.
But the traditional tub-thumping on the eve of the opening group game can only take these players so far. Hodgson knows that. He knows his team are battling against history.
He said: “It’s great that people expect, hope and want England to do well and they believe in the players as much as the coaching staff and I do.
“We hope it brings some good moments and people back home like what they see. But you can’t wipe the slate clean. We’ll live with the fact it’s been 50 years since we won a tournament and 20 since we reached a semi-final.”
When someone of Hodgson’s stature speaks that awful truth it really hurts — 50 years since a trophy, 20 since a semi-final.
Shameful, really.
There are certainly skeletons in Hodgson’s closet, with the ghosts of England’s disastrous performance at the 2014 World Cup haunting him.
That was Brazil, when they finished bottom of the group and were heading home from Rio with the wooden spoon after just five days. Spare us that fate this time, Roy. Please. England can start to change the narrative by putting away Russia in their opening group game here in Marseilles.
Do it, England. Make everybody sit up and take notice with a thrilling, compelling, convincing performance.
But Hodgson remains level-headed and said: “We have a team which, if we perform to our level, will make it difficult for any opponent.
“We know what we can do. If things don’t go our way, I’d hope there will be some sympathy or empathy shown.”
Sorry Roy, but sympathy will be in short supply if England do not get out of a group made up of Russia, Wales and Slovakia.
England were poor against Portugal at Wembley, with the front three of Jamie Vardy, Harry Kane and captain Wayne Rooney a spectacular failure.
Two of them survive, with Rooney convincing the England coach to put him alongside Dele Alli in midfield and tucking that pair behind Kane.
Rooney will need to be Alli’s minder, keeping him disciplined and focused. As we know, the Spurs star can be a little hothead.
Alli’s a gifted young player, with his deceptive forward runs capable of giving England some extra bite up front.
Then comes Raheem Sterling, the man who has set up England’s last three goals. He deserves the nod.
Sterling was at the 2014 World Cup, one of 11 survivors from the squad who did not win a game in Brazil.
Remarkably Daniel Sturridge, a player Hodgson believes is the one world-class talent in the England set-up, is a substitute.
Hodgson knows he must get this right, otherwise he will be up to his neck in it.
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He said: “The lack of experience we have is countered in some way by the youth, energy and enthusiasm. It’s a group of players who are keen to do well. They are extremely well prepared and I can’t ask any more of them.
“I can only guide them along the way and try to succeed.”
Part of Hodgson’s job is to stir the nation, to convince us England can live with Italy, Spain, Germany and France in the latter stages.
It can happen. Germany were beaten 3-2 in Berlin while France, shaken by the terror attacks in Paris last November, were beaten when Alli scored his first goal for his country with a long-range strike at Wembley.
They are decent results but setting the pace and tempo at a tournament is one of England’s biggest problems.
Hodgson admitted: “We don’t broach the subject. We’ve not discussed past tournaments in team meetings.
“We haven’t spoken about 2012 or 2014, it’s water under the bridge.
“There are only four players from four years ago. All we can do is approach it with as relaxed an attitude as possible.
“We know they can play. My fear as a coach is the players take the anxiety out on the field, that they are weighed down and don’t play as well as they would like.”
Hodgson is reluctant to set targets.
But nobody wants to hear the guff about England winning something in the future. Go and win this one.