7.23 PM Thursday, 28 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:57 06:11 12:27 15:53 18:37 19:51
28 March 2024

England lower sights as Hodgson era kicks off

Published
By AFP

For the first time in more than two decades, England will enter a major tournament unencumbered by the weight of expectation when they kick off their European Championship next month.

A shambolic build-up which has seen them sack their captain and part company with the manager who guided them to the finals means England are not looking much further than qualification from Group D.

The success or failure of England's campaign under new manager Roy Hodgson could well hinge on how they fare in their opening game against France in the Ukrainian city of Donetsk on June 11.

If England fail to take something from that demanding opener against Laurent Blanc's rapidly improving side, they will be left with little margin for error against Sweden before a daunting final test against hosts Ukraine.

Hodgson, the Football Association's surprise choice to succeed Fabio Capello following widespread calls for Harry Redknapp to be given the job, is also grappling with the fact that his best player Wayne Rooney will be unavailable for the opening two games of the tournament due to suspension.

Rooney, foolishly sent off for kicking an opponent during England's final qualifier against Montenegro last year, will only be available for the Ukraine game in Donetsk on June 19.

With Darren Bent also struggling to recover from long-term injury, it means Hodgson and England may well start the tournament with an unproven striker leading their front line.

In addition, Hodgson must also decide whether or not veteran defenders John Terry and Rio Ferdinand can co-exist happily in the same squad.

Terry is currently facing a July court case on allegations of racially abusing Ferdinand's younger brother Anton, accusations that the former England captain has strongly denied.

The furore over Terry's court case ultimately prompted the FA to strip him of the captaincy in February, which in turn led to Capello's resignation.

But while the FA have said they have no qualms about Terry representing England, it remains to be seen whether Hodgson will risk a potentially "toxic" dressing room by picking the Chelsea defender and Ferdinand when he names his 23-man party on May 16.

England will warm up for the competition with friendlies against Norway in Oslo on May 26, followed by a Wembley send-off against Belgium on June 2.

Yet despite the mood of pessimism about England's chances, former manager Graham Taylor believes reduced expectations may work in the country's favour, with Hodgson given a ready-made excuse for failure if the campaign unravels.

"The players and, to a degree, Roy as well, already have a reason if things don't go well," he said. "When you have that, it is surprising how well you do.

"There is very little time for the new manager and players to gel and know how each other work. We all know that.

"But if they don't do very well it won't be their fault. It will be the FA's fault, because the FA get blamed for almost everything.

"How can we expect anything? Look at the group we are in. France in the first game, then Sweden, then one of the co-hosts, Ukraine. That is not an easy group."