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Hodgson's lesson in positivity

What a difference an attacking substitution makes, eh Roy?

England survived a bump in the road to see off Wales and Hodgson learned a precious lesson in positivity.

When Daniel Sturridge poked home the 93nd-minute winner, it took the Three Lions boss as much by surprise as the rest of us.

He leapt out of the dugout, wide-eyed and arms aloft, realising seconds later he did not have a clue how to celebrate it.

The puzzled look on his face said: "Can it really be? This attacking lark really works."

Yes Roy, it does. And what’s more players, fans, media and, well, everyone enjoys it a lot more.

With the Three Lions 1-0 down at half-time to Gareth Bale's tame long-range free-kick the fans could not help but fear the worst.

As the England players trudged in at the break, pundits and commentators called for a "big team talk" from Roy.

Nobody really believed he had it in him.

This was, after all, the man who brought three of his "old faves" to France who have barely played all season due to injury.

This was the man who replaced Raheem Sterling with James Milner at 1-0 up against a dreadful Russia side - when it was crying out for Jamie Vardy – only to see us concede at the death.

Never in their history had England overturned a half-time deficit to win a major tournament match. That's a ridiculous stat.

None of us were sure Roy was really the man to break that incredible run.

With the nation crying out for him to send on a striker, we all debated “Will he do it? And should it be Sturridge? Should it be Vardy?

The players emerged for the second half and there was Sturridge - followed by Vardy.

Harry Kane and Sterling off. Finally some ruthlessness.

To England fans, this was not just a substitution, it was an unprecedented statement of intent: “This game is not done yet."

And he did not stop there – fearless 18-year-old striker Marcus Rashford followed later as Hodgson really tore up his textbook.

Roy’s attacking changes may have raised the tempo but they also raised the spirit of England the fans and the hopes of the nation.

Suddenly Wales were on the back foot, defending in their own box rather than the half way line and starting to make mistakes as the Three Lions prowled the final third.

As soon as Vardy grabbed his opportunistic leveller on 56 minutes, the psychological battle - started by Bale earlier in the week - was won.

Chris Coleman’s Dragons no longer felt like plucky underdogs landing blows on a fancied opponent. Now they were the hunted, sitting deeper and deeper as they desperately looked to hold on for a point.

In truth, they showed England far too much respect. Attacking substitutions had not turned Wayne Rooney and Co into a footballing force in the space of half-time.

England still struggled to carve out clear chances, were still wasting final ball after final ball and still have a suspect defence.

This 24-team tournament has been swelled by second-rate European sides, whose only option to survive is to defend like their lives depend on it.

Wales need not stoop to that level. They can mix it as an attacking force too. But, what the game in Lens proved was that without the belief they come unstuck.

Fingers crossed they find it again and they can test themselves in the knockout stage. The more home nations who progress, the better.

Careful, considered Hodgson has never had a reputation for rolling the dice. But, to all our shock and surprise, roll them he did.

And he didn't just roll them, he launched them bouncing and tumbling across the table, smashing glasses along the way.

Let’s hope he does the same against Slovakia on Monday and into the latter stages.

But let’s hope, if it works out, then next time he knows how to celebrate.

Follow @Taxi_For_Maicon

posted on 17/6/16

Rooney whilst far from incisive, did keep things ticking over. He's never going to be a top class midfielder (or player anymore), but he's getting the job done so far in midfield. Hasn't been up against any top class midfield opposition yet, so we'll see.

Retains his place for me.

posted on 17/6/16

To be fair Pogba has been crap this tournament but I get your point. He's done ok but he doesn't really ever drive forward with the ball like Wilshere would. Basically playing as a '2' in a 4231 whereas I think he should play 10 yards ahead of Dier

posted on 17/6/16

comment by Ledley's knee surgeon; Football Manager legend. (U20121)
posted 11 minutes ago
To be fair Pogba has been crap this tournament but I get your point. He's done ok but he doesn't really ever drive forward with the ball like Wilshere would. Basically playing as a '2' in a 4231 whereas I think he should play 10 yards ahead of Dier
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I'd want at least a 10 yard run up, to tw@ the

comment by Spurtle (U1608)

posted on 17/6/16

He had little choice but to make the subs. We were losing and the attack we had on wasn't working.

It's whether Hodgson will be strong enough to make these changes not just when we're in a losing position like against Russia when we had the lead and could have done with increasing it, and Hodgson goes for 'safe' option Milner to our detriment.

comment by aries22 (U1203)

posted on 17/6/16

Agreed. The substitutions were forced on Hodgson thanks to him picking Sterling again, and James Milner is a huffer and puffer who's got no creative spark in him. Just like Hodgson, in fact.
I'd like to see Kane and Vardy start up front, with Kane in his best position, not taking corners and Sturridge replacing Lallana.

posted on 17/6/16

With the embarrassment of striking riches available to the England manager it is now actually harder to pick a team that can't score goals than one that can.Have to hand it to Woy he managed it though in the Russia game!

posted on 18/6/16

Thought they were brave, but only when you compare them to the substitutes made on Saturday.
Personally, being 'brave' would be starting with Vardy and Sturridge in the first place.

posted on 18/6/16

Comment Deleted by Site Moderator

posted on 18/6/16

It is noticeable that Kane gets little (no) service when Sterling played, thus looking poor in terms of opportunities etc.

Having said that I think Harry looks tired & a bit jaded, which comes as no surprise after little time off over the past 2 years.

I would like to see him on the bench on Monday getting a rest & maybe coming on in the second half.

I still maintain that England's problems are more in the middle of the park rather than upfront.

Apart from Sterling's miss against Wales, clear cut chances have been few and far apart.

Rooney plays too deep (easy option) & his passing is too lateral & his pass % was only 70%.

I think Wilshere or even Barkley offer more variety & pace than Rooney.

Hodgson has shaped the team to accommodate Rooney & unfortunately it shows by the lack of tempo.

comment by aries22 (U1203)

posted on 18/6/16

comment by Genius Greaves is 100% behind Poch & The Belgian Revolution! (U1302)
posted 1 hour, 12 minutes ago
It is noticeable that Kane gets little (no) service when Sterling played, thus looking poor in terms of opportunities etc.

Having said that I think Harry looks tired & a bit jaded, which comes as no surprise after little time off over the past 2 years.

Apart from Sterling's miss against Wales, clear cut chances have been few and far between.

Hodgson has shaped the team to accommodate Rooney & unfortunately it shows by the lack of tempo.
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Agree re accommodating Rooney. He's still ok but needs pace around him.

As for Kane, Sterling's inability in the Russia game to pick the right pass and release the ball in the final third would have made any striker look poor. Give Kane the chances and he will score, and he will then be revitalised and will throw off his seeming tiredness.

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