England boss Roy Hodgson said he was disappointed by his side’s lack of creativity in their 2-1 friendly defeat by the Netherlands at Wembley. The loss came three days after England produced a thrilling comeback from two goals down to beat Germany by 3-2 in Berlin. “It was nothing like the performance I was after,” said Hodgson. We […]
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]]>England boss Roy Hodgson said he was disappointed by his side’s lack of creativity in their 2-1 friendly defeat by the Netherlands at Wembley. The loss came three days after England produced a thrilling comeback from two goals down to beat Germany by 3-2 in Berlin. “It was nothing like the performance I was after,” said Hodgson. We weren’t as intensive or incisive as we were against Germany. We weren’t as creative but we had control over the game. He added: “It really is a high followed by a low.”
England slipped to a first defeat at Wembley since November 2013 despite taking the lead through Jamie Vardy – the 100th goal of Hodgson’s tenure. The Leicester striker finished off a well-worked team move to add to his backheel goal against Germany. But Vincent Janssen scored from the spot after Danny Rose’s handball before Luciano Narsingh scored the Dutch winner 13 minutes from time.
Hodgson thought the decision to penalise left-back Rose was harsh, and felt centre-back Phil Jagielka was fouled in the build-up to the winning goal. “I think we were hard done by,” he said. I don’t think we deserved to lose the game, the way the two decisions went against us. The second one in particular was exceptionally harsh. The first one is a decision that is given these days, which I unfortunately I don’t agree with. I really do believe to give handball it has got to be absolutely deliberate and not hit the hand when people are trying to block the ball.
“I am becoming a dinosaur if I keep saying that because I see these decisions being given every week. Whether I agree with it or not, it doesn’t make a lot of difference and it was given,” added England boss. Hodgson will name his Euro 2016 squad on 12 May, 10 days before England face Turkey in a friendly at Etihad Stadium. They then host Australia on 27 May at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light and Portugal on 2 June at Wembley.
And Hodgson felt the two matches against Germany and the Netherlands had helped him learn more about his players. “I gave a lot of different players a chance to play. I’ve really aired the squad, if you like,” said Hodgson. England will face Russia, Slovakia and Wales in Group B of Euro 2016, which starts on 10 June.
Curated from Roy Hodgson: England lacked creativity against Netherlands – BBC Sport
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]]>Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge will make his first England start in 18 months when they host the Netherlands in Tuesday’s Wembley friendly. The 26-year-old missed the entire Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with injury. “No-one doubts his quality. His goalscoring record is unbelievable,” said his Reds team-mate James Milner, who will captain England on Tuesday. Roy […]
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]]>Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge will make his first England start in 18 months when they host the Netherlands in Tuesday’s Wembley friendly. The 26-year-old missed the entire Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with injury. “No-one doubts his quality. His goalscoring record is unbelievable,” said his Reds team-mate James Milner, who will captain England on Tuesday. Roy Hodgson is set to make changes from Saturday’s 3-2 win in Germany, with keeper Fraser Forster certain to start.
England manager, 68, refused to confirm whether Danny Drinkwater would start, saying the Leicester midfielder “might” make his debut. “There will be changes, but how wholesale they will be, you will have to wait and see,” he added. Meanwhile, Spurs keeper Michel Vorm and Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel have been added to the Dutch squad. The Dutch, who finished third at the 2014 World Cup, have not qualified for this summer’s Euro 2016 finals in France.
England go into the friendly against Danny Blind’s side in buoyant mood after fighting back from 2-0 down to beat world champions Germany in Berlin. But both Hodgson and Milner insist the squad are looking forward as they continue to prepare for Euro 2016. “We should be rightly proud of the win but that moment of satisfaction has now passed,” said the manager. The fact the Netherlands have suffered a lean period doesn’t alter the fact they have very good players and are a very good team.
“After the Germany game we don’t want a game that doesn’t test us. I want these games to show that we have players capable of doing what we want them to do,” added Hodgson. Milner said: “If we don’t perform well then everybody will forget about the Germany win and that feel-good factor and momentum will be lost.” Hodgson’s attacking options have been boosted by the return of Sturridge – who has only won 16 caps – and Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck from long injury lay-offs. But the England manager says the pair must both prove their fitness before he names his Euro 2016 squad in May.
Curated from England v Netherlands – BBC Sport
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]]>England manager Roy Hodgson insists captain Wayne Rooney is still a major part of his Euro 2016 plans and I want to see him in team. It doesn’t mean the youngsters performed well against World Cup holders Germany and we don’t need him. Manchester United forward Rooney, who was appointed England captain by Roy Hodgson […]
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]]>England manager Roy Hodgson insists captain Wayne Rooney is still a major part of his Euro 2016 plans and I want to see him in team. It doesn’t mean the youngsters performed well against World Cup holders Germany and we don’t need him. Manchester United forward Rooney, who was appointed England captain by Roy Hodgson in August 2014, was sidelined by a knee injury as Hodgson’s team came from two goals down to win Saturday’s friendly 3-2, with the younger generation flourishing in his absence in Berlin.
Tottenham’s 19-year-old Dele Alli was man of the match and his partnership with club-mate Harry Kane continued to develop as the striker, 22, scored the goal that started England’s comeback. Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy increased the pressure on Rooney’s place with his first England goal but Hodgson said: “I have to repeat Wayne is our captain and he has captained the team extremely well in the past two years.”
“He took us through a qualifying campaign where we had a complete success with 10 wins out of 10. It doesn’t please me too much that it is suggested now that the moment he is injured and does not play he gets jettisoned in some way. He doesn’t deserve that,” he added. If Hodgson keeps faith with Kane and Alli in their current positions – and bearing in mind Vardy was also on the scoresheet and Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck was back in England colours for the first time in a year after injury problems – Rooney is facing the biggest challenge to his place in more than a decade.
Hodgson insists the 30-year-old, England’s record goalscorer with 51 goals in 109 appearances, will not allow the new breed to rest on their laurels. He said: “When he comes back and is fit again he is going to be putting enormous pressure on these players, just like these players will be putting enormous pressure on him – and that is the situation we are looking forward to.” Roy Hodgson side is going to face Netherlands on Tuesday, 29 March at Wembley Stadium. You can get tickets for this game and various other international games with very affordable prices from Ticket4Football.com.
Curated from Wayne Rooney: Roy Hodgson backs striker for big role at Euro 2016 – BBC Sport
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]]>Four Tottenham Hotspur players will start for England in Saturday’s friendly against Germany in Berlin, a reward for their part in the club’s pursuit of a first league title in 55 years. Danny Rose makes his England debut at left-back, while midfield duo Dele Alli and Eric Dier get the chance to press their claims […]
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]]>Four Tottenham Hotspur players will start for England in Saturday’s friendly against Germany in Berlin, a reward for their part in the club’s pursuit of a first league title in 55 years. Danny Rose makes his England debut at left-back, while midfield duo Dele Alli and Eric Dier get the chance to press their claims for a place in manager Roy Hodgson’s plans for Euro 2016 this summer against the reigning World Cup holders in the Olympiastadion.
Harry Kane, the Premier League’s top scorer with 21 goals this season as Spurs lie five points behind Premier League leaders Leicester City with seven games left, leads England’s attack and has the opportunity to cement his place as a starter up front in France. The emergence of 19-year-old Alli, who wins his fifth cap, and the promise of his link with Kane that has been a highlight of Tottenham’s season, has prompted early comparisons with former England captain Bryan Robson.
Hodgson, who gives Stoke City’s Jack Butland the nod in goal ahead of Southampton’s Fraser Forster and will wait until Tuesday’s friendly with the Netherlands at Wembley to give Leicester City’s Danny Drinkwater his first England start, said: “I’m impressed with the way Dele has been all season. “Whenever you have a player who is that young, and you recognise the talent despite the fact he is only 19, it is a bold decision to put him in the squad and play him.
“But myself, Gary Neville and Ray Lewington are all convinced he has the capacity and ability to play so we took the chance and have been rewarded.” Hodgson added: “He could do anything in that midfield position. He could be box-to-box, a number 10 or a number 6. He has genuine all-round ability. “He can challenge, run, fight for the ball, see a pass and score a goal. You mention Bryan Robson and that’s the player I’d like to think he can become – but he is only 19 and it is dangerous to make these comparisons. We believe in him. He wouldn’t be in the team if we didn’t.”
Curated from Dele Alli & Harry Kane in England starting XI v Germany – BBC Sport
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]]>Northern Ireland were denied a first away friendly win in almost a decade as Wales scored a late penalty to earn a 1-1 draw in their Euro 2016 warm-up. An injury-hit Wales edged a goalless first half as David Cotterill had a free-kick saved by Michael McGovern. Northern Ireland improved after the break and led […]
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]]>Northern Ireland were denied a first away friendly win in almost a decade as Wales scored a late penalty to earn a 1-1 draw in their Euro 2016 warm-up. An injury-hit Wales edged a goalless first half as David Cotterill had a free-kick saved by Michael McGovern. Northern Ireland improved after the break and led as Craig Cathcart struck with a low shot on the turn. The visitors defended diligently but were undone when Gareth McAuley fouled Simon Church, who converted.
Had Northern Ireland held on for victory, it would have been their first in a friendly on the road since beating Finland in August 2006. For a Wales side without Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, Church’s equaliser was reward for a willing – but somewhat blunt – performance which exposed their lack of strength in depth at times. Both managers had earmarked this fixture as an opportunity for fringe players to further their case for inclusion in their respective Euro 2016 squads.
Wales’ George Williams sparkled in his audition, as the Fulham winger – currently on loan at Gillingham – ran at opposition defenders with menace and trickery. Queens Park Rangers striker Conor Washington made his debut for Northern Ireland but struggled to make an impression as the visitors sat back content to defend. It was understandable that Michael O’Neill’s side approached the game in pragmatic fashion – because they came to Cardiff with a dismal away friendly record.
O’Neill had never won a friendly on the road during his five-year reign, while the team’s run of just one goal in 17 away friendlies stretched back nine-and-a-half years. They did not look like improving that record in a first half in which they failed to register a shot on target but they were more of a threat in the second. Kyle Lafferty had a shot saved by debutant goalkeeper Danny Ward and, when Wales failed to clear a corner after an hour, Cathcart was on hand to swivel and score with a powerful effort.
Curated from Wales 1-1 Northern Ireland – BBC Sport
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