Three changes for Wales in the starting line-up, with the return of Hal Robson-Kanu meaning that Ramsey and Bale were deployed slightly deeper, making it clear that Coleman was planning a safety-first approach – which so almost worked.
Advertisement
“I’m sure Gareth will be getting taken out a fair few times in this tournament as well”, he added. Tough games, and good games, but this game is different.
“I can see Wales using Gareth’s pace on the counter-attack and while I expect England to have the control of the game that will always be a problem for them. We don’t kick people, he can rest assured”.
But Hodgson, addressing the media on the eve of the game, said all the talk would count for nothing come kick-off.
“England have the personnel to score goals, if they play like that against Wales again they will come out on top”. Chris Coleman’s side also kept clean sheets in both qualifying games versus Belgium to show what they’re capable of. “They can’t be afraid to give our opinions”. You’ve just got to be aware of their individual strengths.
The 18-year-old is the youngest player at Euro 2016 and in terms of an electric substitute there aren’t many better than Marcus, although Jamie Vardy might have something to say about that.
Bale was the key man in Wales’ first qualification to a major tournament since 1958, scoring seven goals, and was on target in the 2-1 victory over Slovakia on Saturday.
Hodgson has been forced to field repeated questions in recent days about Gareth Bale’s claim that Wales have more pride and passion than their English rivals.
Wayne Rooney was arguably England’s man of the match against Russian Federation in match-day one in his deeper midfield role and I’d expect him to start there today. I don’t think we’ll be surprised particularly by either their line-up or what they try to do when they’ve got the ball or when they don’t have the ball. “That’s something I can only welcome”.
“If anything it heightens the occasion, rather than lessens it”.
“The tournament makes it a special game but we know there are three points at stake, two British teams and we are looking forward to it”.
Coleman said it will be “physical and aggressive”.
When Dier was pressed for a response in England’s pre-match press conference, he simply replied, “We’ll see on Thursday if that’s true”.
Advertisement
“It depends how the game goes, ” he said, when asked if he has to step up his game against the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen.
