But despite the disappointment of finishing second in the group behind Wales, who thumped Russian Federation 3-0, Hodgson said he was not anxious about the knockout stages of the tournament in which his side will face the runners-up of group F.
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Hart acknowledged the “tension” caused by England’s second draw which left the side waiting to meet the Group F runners-up – either Iceland, Portugal, Hungary or Austria – in Nice on Monday in the last 16. “If we can stay beyond the next round, I think you’ll be speaking of him in a different light because that’s the player he is”.
“We’ve shown what a good defensive team we are, but now we have shown what a good team we are in possession”.
“That might even work in our favour because we might find some space we can actually exploit behind the defence”.
They have yet to score in the first half in France, and might easily have drawn all three of their games had Daniel Sturridge not popped up at the death in Lens.
“You are going to come up against teams who put everyone behind the ball but maybe the next opponents will come out more”, said Todd.
Hodgson refused to directly countenance a last-eight match-up with Les Bleus, knowing that neither his side nor their putative opponents are guaranteed to progress.
That said, I think England are in a decent position for the last 16.
“I don’t count my chickens”.
Yet where Walker and Rose really come into their own is when they get forward to attack, with Walker particularly outstanding in the first two games. But if we do get them, it’ll be interesting.
England has lost six of its seven shootouts in major tournaments since 1990, making it something of an unwanted tradition for the national team.
“I am happy to play anybody”, he said.
After a staggering total of 65 shots during their three-match Group B campaign, Hodgson admits he is growing increasingly concerned about England’s goal-shy strikers.
The manager has concerns about whether Vardy can play wide in a front three, which has so far given Lallana the edge. I’d like to see more of a change of tempo from them.
Russian Federation survived an early Bale chance but were two goals down inside 20 minutes after strikes by Ramsey, named man of the match, and wing back Neil Taylor.
“It’s a great story for them, but we have to be ruthless and try to punish them”.
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“I would have maybe had some regrets if we hadn’t played well and dominated the game and controlled it”, Hodgson added.
