Can England Win Euro 2012 With Roy Hodgson’s Squad?
To win might be asking too much - avoid embarrassment might be enough.
Never has an England tournament squad announcement met so little fanfare. Even taking into account the sacking of Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool, not the biggest surprise in the world, the members of the press were unusually sedate. Roy Hodgson will be pleased to have avoided the media scrutiny and debate that usually surrounds the national team. Sure, #HodgsonOut trended on twitter for a little while, but mostly in jest. Everyone knows Hodgson has hardly had time to put his feet under the table. This squad does not truly represent who the manager rates, who Hodgson feels he can mould, who will help build up the team spirit required in an international camp. One look at his 23-man squad and the thought is meh. Its not terrible but Parker, Welbeck and Walcott will not strike fear into Dutch or Spanish hearts. Hodgsons selections have not been criticised too much simply because of a lack alternatives. Even the topic that dominated the media was nullified as Rio Ferdinand revealed on Tuesday that he was not part of the squad. England players leak like sieves, but Roy might have been glad that Rio had taken the sting out of the tale. Personally, my preference would have been to take neither both have injury concerns, have performed inconsistently at times (especially Terry) and both have contributed to the malaise of previous England summers and give Phil Jagielka a more prominent role. Hodgson was more occupied with the striker situation. Wayne Rooneys two game ban posed a problem but with Darren Bents injury, Andy Carrolls return to form, and Daniel Sturridges loss of form, there was little surprise that Carroll, Welbeck, and Jermain Defoe joined Rooney in the squad. While Grant Holts name was mentioned in dispatches Hodgson was never likely to take a gamble on someone the England set up did not know. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has at least played U21 football this year. Oxlade-Chamberlains inclusion was a surprise, relatively. He has not played much, and not against Pirlo or Ambrosini as Hodgson claimed, but he does bring pace and boldness in play that separates him from the rest of the England midfield, especially in the middle. With Parker, Barry, Lampard and Gerrard in contention, there is a lack of pace that can be exposed. Oxlade-Chamberlain may help address that. Ultimately, expectations are so low that as long as the players dont trip over themselves as they depart the plane they will be deemed a success. More and more Hodgson looks the right man for the job considered, contented, calmed and thankfully for him and England followers a bout of realism seems to have spread through the country. Obviously, it will only take one good result to get hopes up to astronomical levels, but for the moment the publics eye is on other matters. Hodgson spoke of Denmark in 92 or Greece in 04, and thats where England fans can look for inspiration. Strong, organised, disciplined teams, under no pressure, they beat the odds to win the Euros and there is no reason why England cant follow suit. Get out of the group stage, which is easier said than done, then treat the rest of the tournament as a bonus. Never before have England entered a big tournament so far removed from the spotlight. Hodgson should try to take advantage because as soon as the World Cup qualifiers start, everything will change, for better or for worse. To win might be asking too much - avoid embarrassment might be enough. But the shortened format of the European Championships as opposed to a World Cup mean England only need to hit form at the right time, or grind out a few results, and they can reach the semi finals. After that, all bets are off.