England emboldened: We fear nobody, claims Hodgson
Marc Fox
June 22, 2016
Emboldened England boss Roy Hodgson claimed that his side feared nobody after securing their passage into the second round of Euro 2016 from Group B with a goalless draw against Slovakia in Saint-Étienne this week.
However, few believe that his team selections and substitutions, combined with constant tinkering with the side's formation and system, will be striking fear into any of England's potential last 16 opponents either.
Hodgson knows that his team will be facing the second-placed side in Group F, which will be one of Hungary, Portugal, Austria or Iceland, after failing to break down the stubborn Slovakian defence while seeing Wales finish off Russia in an altogether more comfortable manner.
However, the England manager seems far less sure of his best XI, or even his preferred playing style, as he looks forward to competing in the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time in four years.
Chopping and changing
Hodgson made six changes to the side that started against Wales, although two of those - Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge, who both scored in the comeback victory against the Welsh - did finish that match.
None of Hodgson's changes were enforced because of injury concerns or suspension; he simply took the opportunity to rotate both full backs as well as two of his three central midfielders including captain Wayne Rooney, arguably England's most important player of the championships so far.
And while the effectiveness of England's wide play did not seem to be unduly diminished, particularly so on the right-hand side where Liverpool Nathanial Clyne excelled, the midfield replacements were off the pace, with Arsenal's Jack Wilshire labouring throughout before being replaced early in the second half by Rooney.
Jordan Henderson was also cumbersome in possession, and England's midfield only rediscovered its spark when Rooney and Tottenham's Dele Alli were reunited.
Nonetheless, England still dominated possession throughout and we're only kept at bay by resolute defending from their opponents.
"We dominated the game from start to finish and had so many attempts and chances and one day we're going to put those chances away," Hodgson said afterwards.
"As far as I'm concerned I can't fault the effort and work the lads put in. It's a little bit embarrassing that we've played three games and in each of the three games it's been attack versus defence."
Forward combinations
Despite a wealth of talent upfront, England have managed just three goals in three group games, including a free-kick from midfielder Eric Dier.
Harry Kane, England's first choice striker coming into the tournament, has managed only one shot on target, and while Vardy and Sturridge impressed against Wales, they struggled with the lack of space afforded them by Slovakia.
Moreover, Manchester United teen Marcus Rashford appeared as a substitute against Wales in the second match, reconfirming the view that Hodgson continues to strive to find the right combination to add the goals to the team's fluid build-up play.
The manager added: "The way we're playing at the moment - to be quite honest - I'm not frightened of anybody.
"I thought I'd never see an England team in a tournament be able to dominate three games as much as we've done so that gives me some sort of satisfaction.
"And I'm pretty sure that sooner or later we're going to make somebody pay because if we keep dominating and creating chances like we're doing we're going to score goals one day."
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