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| Roy Hodgson in a ‘realm of despair’ as England face World Cup whitewash | Roy Hodgson in a ‘realm of despair’ as England face World Cup whitewash |
| (2 months later) | |
| Once again England find themselves in one of their looking-forward phases, just earlier than normal and with enough deja vu for it to feel as uncomfortable as wet trousers. After the recriminations, public apologies, and an early hotel check-out, Roy Hodgson’s team return to the business of playing football matches Tuesday and promising, just for a change, that it can be different next time. There is no point dressing it up: it feels flat in the extreme. | |
| Hodgson does not usually name his team before England matches and has employed security from the Escola Superior de Guerra to ensure total privacy for his training sessions back in Rio de Janeiro, so there was something revealing about his response when he was asked for clues about his selection and proceeded to rattle off the names, one to 11, and even divulge what formation they would play. | Hodgson does not usually name his team before England matches and has employed security from the Escola Superior de Guerra to ensure total privacy for his training sessions back in Rio de Janeiro, so there was something revealing about his response when he was asked for clues about his selection and proceeded to rattle off the names, one to 11, and even divulge what formation they would play. |
| There will be nine changes in total and the presence of Luke Shaw at left-back and Ross Barkley in central midfield will inevitably entice people into talking about this being a team with Euro 2016 in mind. That, however, is not Hodgson’s priority. The manager talked of being in a “realm of despair” and his first thoughts here have to be to avoid England’s first-ever World Cup whitewash. A third successive defeat in the space of nine traumatic days and, rightly or wrongly, Hodgson is acutely aware there will be people back home who will not want to reason when the alternative is to hurl a market stall’s worth of rotten vegetables his way. | There will be nine changes in total and the presence of Luke Shaw at left-back and Ross Barkley in central midfield will inevitably entice people into talking about this being a team with Euro 2016 in mind. That, however, is not Hodgson’s priority. The manager talked of being in a “realm of despair” and his first thoughts here have to be to avoid England’s first-ever World Cup whitewash. A third successive defeat in the space of nine traumatic days and, rightly or wrongly, Hodgson is acutely aware there will be people back home who will not want to reason when the alternative is to hurl a market stall’s worth of rotten vegetables his way. |
| The lesson of history is that this will happen anyway in some quarters, and it was vaguely depressing to hear Frank Lampard explaining that he would be warning some of the younger players they may need to adopt selective hearing when they resume Premier League football next season. | The lesson of history is that this will happen anyway in some quarters, and it was vaguely depressing to hear Frank Lampard explaining that he would be warning some of the younger players they may need to adopt selective hearing when they resume Premier League football next season. |
| For now, however, Hodgson and his players have been pleasantly surprised by the reaction of the England supporters they have encountered ahead of the game against Costa Rica. Many were waiting at the team’s hotel in Belo Horizonte and it was a sympathetic reception. “We’re very conscious that our fans are as disappointed and devastated as we are, but still supporting us,” Hodgson said. “We had a lot of kind words in the hotel, and we want to make certain they see something now that they can take encouragement from.” | For now, however, Hodgson and his players have been pleasantly surprised by the reaction of the England supporters they have encountered ahead of the game against Costa Rica. Many were waiting at the team’s hotel in Belo Horizonte and it was a sympathetic reception. “We’re very conscious that our fans are as disappointed and devastated as we are, but still supporting us,” Hodgson said. “We had a lot of kind words in the hotel, and we want to make certain they see something now that they can take encouragement from.” |
| The paradox is that Hodgson is essentially picking a team to treat his squad players, rather than selecting the best XI he can muster together. “I wanted everyone to go home from this tournament having taken part in a game, not just training,” he explained of his selection. Phil Jones and Chris Smalling will come into defence alongside Shaw, in what could be three-quarters of a future Manchester United back four. | The paradox is that Hodgson is essentially picking a team to treat his squad players, rather than selecting the best XI he can muster together. “I wanted everyone to go home from this tournament having taken part in a game, not just training,” he explained of his selection. Phil Jones and Chris Smalling will come into defence alongside Shaw, in what could be three-quarters of a future Manchester United back four. |
| Lampard will operate as the deep-lying midfielder, with Barkley and Jack Wilshere playing more advanced roles, and James Milner and Adam Lallana on the wings. When the team are attacking, the system will morph into 4-3-3 with the wide players moving alongside Daniel Sturridge. Hodgson also intends to bring on Rickie Lambert at some stage, while Steven Gerrard has been lined up to replace Lampard in the second half. | Lampard will operate as the deep-lying midfielder, with Barkley and Jack Wilshere playing more advanced roles, and James Milner and Adam Lallana on the wings. When the team are attacking, the system will morph into 4-3-3 with the wide players moving alongside Daniel Sturridge. Hodgson also intends to bring on Rickie Lambert at some stage, while Steven Gerrard has been lined up to replace Lampard in the second half. |
| Only a few days ago that would have been widely seen as the occasion the Gerrard-Lampard double act ended their international careers. But now it is not so clear. Hodgson has already asked Gerrard to remain as captain and there was another admission from the manager that he is not entirely going to trust the younger players from now on. | Only a few days ago that would have been widely seen as the occasion the Gerrard-Lampard double act ended their international careers. But now it is not so clear. Hodgson has already asked Gerrard to remain as captain and there was another admission from the manager that he is not entirely going to trust the younger players from now on. |
| Lampard turned 36 on Friday and is contemplating a future in Major League Soccer but will remain in England’s plans. “I would be more than happy if Frank remains available for selection,” Hodgson said. “I’m pretty sure that if we said to him: ‘Look, the chances are you might not feature quite so much but please don’t retire, please be available,’ I’m sure he would say we could count on him. He loves playing for England.” | Lampard turned 36 on Friday and is contemplating a future in Major League Soccer but will remain in England’s plans. “I would be more than happy if Frank remains available for selection,” Hodgson said. “I’m pretty sure that if we said to him: ‘Look, the chances are you might not feature quite so much but please don’t retire, please be available,’ I’m sure he would say we could count on him. He loves playing for England.” |
| The team return to England directly after the match and Hodgson is already deliberating over the wider reasons why England have suffered out here. “We have what many regard as the best league on the planet. We do have a fantastic league. But we have the most foreign players and the fewest home-based players who are available to play for their country. So having such a good league can be a cleft stick. | The team return to England directly after the match and Hodgson is already deliberating over the wider reasons why England have suffered out here. “We have what many regard as the best league on the planet. We do have a fantastic league. But we have the most foreign players and the fewest home-based players who are available to play for their country. So having such a good league can be a cleft stick. |
| “Some of the players who have played regularly for England in the last two years may be reserves in the Premier League for their clubs. After the game against Italy, when we lost but the judgment was the team had played quite well, there were some very good signs for us to take forward. Then we lost the second game and that has really opened up a wider debate as to where we are going.” | “Some of the players who have played regularly for England in the last two years may be reserves in the Premier League for their clubs. After the game against Italy, when we lost but the judgment was the team had played quite well, there were some very good signs for us to take forward. Then we lost the second game and that has really opened up a wider debate as to where we are going.” |
| First things first, however, and there is a match to be played, as well as a chance for some dignity to be restored. “When you are at a World Cup and don’t reach your expectations and hopes, and have to leave the tournament, that final game is the one that leads you into the future,” Hodgson said. “But we have a lot of time to think about the future. We have a long qualification campaign ahead and Euro 2016 is a long time away. | First things first, however, and there is a match to be played, as well as a chance for some dignity to be restored. “When you are at a World Cup and don’t reach your expectations and hopes, and have to leave the tournament, that final game is the one that leads you into the future,” Hodgson said. “But we have a lot of time to think about the future. We have a long qualification campaign ahead and Euro 2016 is a long time away. |
| “This is a game against the top team in the group, the team who have exceeded all expectations with their results and the quality of their football. We have to show we can compete with this team. It’s a chance to show our fans that we still have a lot of pride in our performance and it’s a great opportunity for these players. I’m handing them an opportunity to go out on a fantastic stage and show they’re not only players of potential, but they are ready to play on this stage now and won’t let the team down.” | “This is a game against the top team in the group, the team who have exceeded all expectations with their results and the quality of their football. We have to show we can compete with this team. It’s a chance to show our fans that we still have a lot of pride in our performance and it’s a great opportunity for these players. I’m handing them an opportunity to go out on a fantastic stage and show they’re not only players of potential, but they are ready to play on this stage now and won’t let the team down.” |