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Roy Hodgson urges England’s younger players to shine against Costa Rica Roy Hodgson urges England’s younger players to shine against Costa Rica
(about 1 hour later)
Roy Hodgson has admitted England’s premature elimination from the World Cup had plunged him and his squad into a “realm of despair” as he urged the team’s youngsters to restore some measure of pride with victory in their final group game against Costa Rica on Tuesday.Roy Hodgson has admitted England’s premature elimination from the World Cup had plunged him and his squad into a “realm of despair” as he urged the team’s youngsters to restore some measure of pride with victory in their final group game against Costa Rica on Tuesday.
The manager has named a radically changed selection for the game at Estádio Mineirão, with Luke Shaw and Ross Barkley to gain their first competitive starts and Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Ben Foster drafted into the defence.The manager has named a radically changed selection for the game at Estádio Mineirão, with Luke Shaw and Ross Barkley to gain their first competitive starts and Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Ben Foster drafted into the defence.
Frank Lampard will captain the side on his 106th and potentially final cap, with the veteran midfielder echoing his manager’s calls for the team to show their character, as well as potential, against the group leaders. Frank Lampard will captain the side on his 106th and potentially final appearance, with the veteran midfielder echoing his manager’s calls for the team to show their character, as well as potential, against the group leaders.
Hodgson was in emotional mood as he confronted his team’s final involvement at the tournament in Brazil. Asked what he learned from England’s briefest stay at a World Cup finals in 60 years, he said: “I’ve learned how painful it is to build up your hopes and to see a lot of good preparation proved to be to no avail because it didn’t get us where we wanted. I’ve realised that, although I probably knew this before, at this top level in a World Cup it’s unforgiving. A moment really of sheer misfortune can throw everyone into a realm of despair that you didn’t know was possible.Hodgson was in emotional mood as he confronted his team’s final involvement at the tournament in Brazil. Asked what he learned from England’s briefest stay at a World Cup finals in 60 years, he said: “I’ve learned how painful it is to build up your hopes and to see a lot of good preparation proved to be to no avail because it didn’t get us where we wanted. I’ve realised that, although I probably knew this before, at this top level in a World Cup it’s unforgiving. A moment really of sheer misfortune can throw everyone into a realm of despair that you didn’t know was possible.
“This last game will tell me a lot about the players. It’s been a very tough few days and it’s hard to pick yourselves up for a game that, even if you do well in, serves no purpose. The 100-cap players will find that hard, so it will be unbelievably difficult for the youngsters.“This last game will tell me a lot about the players. It’s been a very tough few days and it’s hard to pick yourselves up for a game that, even if you do well in, serves no purpose. The 100-cap players will find that hard, so it will be unbelievably difficult for the youngsters.
“We’ll learn a lot about them in this game. I’ve liked what I’ve seen around the hotel and in training over the last few days, and I’m now giving them the opportunity – not because I can but because I believe this side is a good team on the field and they can go and win the game. I hope they prove me right.”“We’ll learn a lot about them in this game. I’ve liked what I’ve seen around the hotel and in training over the last few days, and I’m now giving them the opportunity – not because I can but because I believe this side is a good team on the field and they can go and win the game. I hope they prove me right.”
Lampard, like the permanent captain Steven Gerrard, will take his time before determining his future at this level but Hodgson hopes the 36-year-old’s experience will help inspire and reassure in equal measures against Costa Rica. He will anchor a three-man midfield with Jack Wilshere and Barkley at his side, while James Milner and Adam Lallana will operate wide of Daniel Sturridge up front.Lampard, like the permanent captain Steven Gerrard, will take his time before determining his future at this level but Hodgson hopes the 36-year-old’s experience will help inspire and reassure in equal measures against Costa Rica. He will anchor a three-man midfield with Jack Wilshere and Barkley at his side, while James Milner and Adam Lallana will operate wide of Daniel Sturridge up front.
“They can show the faith and hope we have that those boys is not misplaced and that they are ready to make their mark,” added Hodgson. “This could be the first moment they give us an inkling that we are on the right track. “They can show the faith and hope we have in those boys is not misplaced and that they are ready to make their mark,” added Hodgson. “This could be the first moment they give us an inkling that we are on the right track.
“When you’re at a World Cup and don’t realise your expectations and hopes and have to leave the tournament, that final game is inevitably the one that leads you into the future. But we have a lot of time to think about the future. We have a long qualification campaign ahead. Euro 2016 is a long time away. For our young players there are two years of club and international football to be played.“When you’re at a World Cup and don’t realise your expectations and hopes and have to leave the tournament, that final game is inevitably the one that leads you into the future. But we have a lot of time to think about the future. We have a long qualification campaign ahead. Euro 2016 is a long time away. For our young players there are two years of club and international football to be played.
“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. And it’s a chance to show our fans that we still have a lot of pride in our performance. 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. And it’s a chance to show our fans that we still have a lot of pride in our performance. 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.”