But that is something England have not managed in their eight previous European Championships and in only five of their 14 World Cup appearances. I think England need to make a positive start and most of the teams Russian Federation will have played recently will have only had one striker up front.
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The Duke, who is marking his tenth year as FA President, will be attending England’s final Group B match against Slovakia in Saint-Étienne on Monday 20 June at 8pm.
The 68-year-old was pictured holding up a small piece of paper for the assembled media, seemingly mocking assistant Ray Lewington, who was photographed on Tuesday carrying a clipboard with a number of player names written on headed Football Association notepaper.
“My favourite position is being on the pitch, to be honest with you”, he said.
Rooney isn’t taking much notice.
But Rooney hit back: “Everyone who watches the game of football is entitled to their opinions”. I think we should expect a good game here between two sides that have a lot of national pride and passion. In my opinion, it’s changed for the better.
England coach Roy Hodgson has been forced to defend his captain many times this season, and will surely pick him against Russian Federation.
But Hart is sure the defensive players Hodgson has picked, plus midfielder Eric Dier if needed, will be enough to sustain a long run in the tournament.
“I want him to be the captain of the team, I want him to bring his experience, of course”, he said, stood next to England’s on-field leader on the eve of the game. “We’ll live with the fact it’s been 50 years since we won a tournament but all we can do is hope the players approach this one with a relaxed attitude”, Hodgson told a news conference at the sparkling all-white, fully redeveloped 67,000-capacity Velodrome.
“You obviously have Manuel Neuer, and David de Gea – there are some fantastic keepers on show at the tournament”. Naturally, younger lads do that. “I did it when I broke into the team in 2003”, said Rooney. “It’s more of a case of the manager, coaching staff and myself telling the players how good they are”. The later we can let them know about our starting XI, the better.
Some think the England coach will revert to playing one up front, and Harry Kane getting the nod above Vardy, with Rooney playing in behind.
A number of former internationals have suggested it could prove England’s undoing but goalkeeper Hart, like centre-back Chris Smalling, has expressed his belief that they will hold firm over the next month.
“Under small instruction from Roy, we can chop and change in a game”.
“You can’t wipe the slate clean”.
Hodgson was the man in charge as England lost in the quarters of Euro 2012 and crashed out of the group stage at the World Cup two years ago, but he insists that has no bearing on the upcoming tournament.
“But we’ve not discussed the tournament in relation to past tournaments”. The preparations have been ideal.
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“We feel confident and comfortable as a unit and we are ready”.
