There are few people better qualified than Glenn Hoddle in knowing what it is like to manage at an International tournament and the former England boss firmly believes that Roy Hodgson’s previous experience with Switzerland will stand him in good stead for the Euros and the World Cup beyond that:

“Roy will understand what it all means when you get out there. Obviously the friendlies are  friendlies, but quite honestly its once you get out to the tournament and you’re in the camp. Once you’re in there you can switch off, get focused on what the job at hand is, pick your squad and start to win football matches.”

Hoddle believes that why Hodgson has been unlucky with injuries, someone’s loss can be someone else’s gain and feels the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could prove a surprise package, because he will play with little fear:

“Well that always happens in tournament, and sometimes it’s a youngster who maybe has a little less fear and doesn’t know what it’s really about so doesn’t have that pressure on his shoulders. Players like Stevie G the skipper and John Terry will have more pressure on them as they are getting to the end of their opportunity. So people like Chamberlain might come in and surprise everyone because he’ll with that lack of fear. Fear is debilitating to a footballers performance, so don’t be surprised if people like that come in. Walcott at times has had a good season and now he needs to come in and step it up a level. So yeah Roy has had some terrible knocks with the injuries he’s got and the suspension with Rooney, but in some ways that when we’re at our best, when no one fancies us. When we’re like a wounded animal that when England play at their best so it might be a blessing in disguise, not one that a manger will want, but it might just start to change things. People in this country won’t fancy England for this tournament and it’s the internal pressure of the country that is the problem when England goes to a tournament it’s not the external pressure.”

[divider]

“For more insight from Glenn Hoddle and other leading managers plus all the coverage of Euro 2012 go to yahoo.eurosport.com”