CAN HODGSON’S ENGLAND SURPASS GLENN HODDLE’S EURO ’96 TEAM?

GROUP B ENGLAND, RUSSIA, SLOVAKIA, WALES

England Coach Roy Hodgson brings with him the most technically astute England team since Glenn Hoddle’s team of Euro ’96 and the World Cup in France in ’98! His charges are obviously the top dogs in a not so tough looking Group B.

Glenn Hoddle (L) took over from Venables (R) ending a miserable era

Well, Wales, Russia, and particularly Slovenia have other ideas.

Boasting a very mobile and silky core of attacking players, this squad belies it’s country’s reputation as the bastion of “route one football”, or if you like, “direct football”. In an era of tiki taka and such sumptuous delights, this is a tag they are desperate to discard and thus have a point to prove.

Other prior three Lions generations have for the most been workman like, who won by attrition and sheer physicality than wit and their technical quality. The late Sir Bobby Robson almost brought them to the brink, reaching and losing the quarter finals in Mexico ’86 to a Maradona inspired” hand of god” Argentina and to West Germany via post match penalties at the semis in Italia ’90, through sheer tactical brilliance and great squad management.

One of his protégés from those two campaigns, Glenn Hoddle would take over the reigns after Terry Venables disaster laden stewardship of the early ‘90s.

Deadly combo Mac Manamann and Alan Shearer at the '96 finals

It’s been two decades since Hoddle’s boys, led by then Liverpool talisman Steve Mac Mannaman, who would later join Del Bosque’s Real Madrid on a free, and the clinical finishing of mesmerized the world with their audacious style. As the 1996 hosts, in a defining moment and playing rat tat tat rapid fire football, they confounded everyone by dismantling Guus Hiddinks hapless Dutch Oranje 4-1 in one of their group games.  They were to lose to Germany at the semifinals via full back Gareth Southgate’s skied spot kick.

Since that generation left the stage, preceding the unprecedented rise in commercial value and global popularity of the English Premier League, the world has expectantly been awaiting a transfer of their league’s billion pound appeal onto the English national team. Well that has mostly come to naught, until now!

Kane's rare abilities compared to the legendary Gazza

This generation of Three Lions hold plenty of promise with Harry Kane’s mazy runs drawing comparisons with the legendary Paul Gascoigne, who coincidentally also plied for North Londoners, Tottenham Hotspurs. His compatriot Dalle Alli’s vision and range of passing compliments Kane’s and Jamie Vardy’s pace and is the corner stone of this team’s success. Other attacking options are Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge and Ross Barkey.

The lethal trio

Roy Hodgson’s inclusion of Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney however could unsettle the intuitive balance that the preferred three have developed. Hodgson stands accused of being loyal to the old guards [read Rooney and Wilshire] who served his cause in earlier campaigns. Jack Wilshire’s inclusion reeks of favouritism as he’s been out injured for the better part of 14 months, making a few cameos as a sub, for his Arsenal side towards the end of the season. His inclusion was at the expense of a proven regular performer in Leicester’s Danny Drinkwater.

Hodgson's final selection cast him in bad light

The obvious weakness to this team is the central defense, where Gary Cahill, who brings plenty of experience, has suffered a recent dip in form and their untested partnership with Chris Smalling will surely creak or flounder against any top team.

Slovakia will especially offer formidable opposition. Led by creative maverick and AS Roma forward Marek Hamsek assisted by Turkish based left sided midfielder Miroslav Stoch, both of whom spot outrageous Mohawks! Liverpool's Martin Skyrtel should offer leadership from the back.

Slovakia's lethal duo

Russia is largely an unknown quantity, more so after what seems like the retrogressive reign of Italian Fabio Capello.

In what should produce fireworks as any derby would, England’s game against brethren and U.K neigbours, Wales, is one to look forward to. Wales, who’ve sporadically and sparingly produced talented players, can now boast of having a set of footballers they can be proud of, who made them dare to dream. 

Bale, Ramsey and Williams have made their nation dare to dream

Gareth Bales meteoric rise from North London to the hallowed grounds of the Spanish capital’s premier establishment, Real Madrid has raised the Welsh profile, probably more than retired legend, Ryan Giggs.

Bale’s goal scoring abilities will be complimented by Arsenal’s creative midfielder Aaron Ramsey, with Swansea’s Ashley William sitting at the bottom of a decent looking spine.