England to benefit as Neville swaps studio for the dugout

As the blue half of Manchester continues to celebrate its first top flight championship for 44 years, one of the red half’s greatest servants will be excused for pouring himself an oddly-timed celebratory drink tonight: step forward England’s new coach, Gary Neville.

In all the hysteria following one of the most dramatic final days of a football season in history, the appointment of Gary Neville as part of Roy Hodgson’s permanent coaching staff has gone relatively unnoticed. For those that have had the decency to pick up on the FA’s announcement, surprise seems to be the most common reaction. 

Surprise as Neville was settling in well to his role as a pundit at Sky, and had impressed many with his tactical acumen, forthright opinions and his completely unexpected willingness to criticise his beloved Manchester United. He seemed to be revelling in the role, and a certainty to be the long-term successor to Andy Gray as the network’s chief co-commentator.

But with his coaching badges completed and a burning desire to be involved in the cut and thrust of the game rather than the gloss and pomp of the TV studio, Neville clearly had other ideas. He apparently bit the FA’s hand off - not literally, that would be too eager - when offered a job as part of Roy Hodgson’s coaching staff, in what could yet prove to be the smartest move Hodgson makes as England boss.

Although Neville has no real coaching experience so to speak, he has all the other attributes one could hope for in an international coach. With 85 caps, he has international experience in abundance. His involvement in World Cup and European Championship squads will be invaluable both in Poland and Ukraine, and hopefully Brazil and France in 2014 and 2016 too. As captain of United and at times England, he is one of the game’s most passionate leaders of recent times. And as he has shown through his work at Sky, he is more tactically astute than most of us would have expected.

But I’m sure there will be many England fans that find it nigh on impossible cheer Neville’s appointment, for as a player, he was also one of the most divisive players of the Premier League era. Divisive is putting it kindly perhaps; most non-Manchester United-supporting fans simply despise him.

Why such hatred for a man that always served his country with such passion and skill? Well, Neville would - or at least should - be the first to admit that he hasn’t always helped himself: there was the celebration in front of the Liverpool fans in 2006; his role in organising an ill-fated England players’ strike in the wake of Rio Ferdinand’s suspension following a missed drugs test; and of course, that pathetic attempt at growing a moustache. Football fans can be forgiving folk, but they don’t take abysmal facial hair lightly.

But over the last year, Neville seems to have won over certain sections of the supporters that disliked him as a player. His even-handed analysis on Sky has certainly helped, whilst his infamous ‘goalgasm’ when commentating on Fernando Torres’ goal at the Nou Camp has gone down in TV football history. He is also a genuinely entertaining user of Twitter, unlike many of the players and ex-players that dominate timelines of football supporters up and down the country. It seems Neville has demonstrated possession of something few of us thought he ever had: a personality. 

It is that personality, that experience of tournament football and those unrivalled leadership qualities that means Neville can be a huge asset to Hodgson’s team - regardless of his coaching inexperience. He will not be there to lead the coaching - Hodgson has more than enough of his own experience and ability to do that - he will be there as a confidant of the players; someone they know has been there and seen it all, yet also understands the demands and pressures of modern football. He will help rouse the squad when the pressure is on and perhaps the odds are stacked against them. He will also defend them to the hilt in the face of any criticism; something that Sven and Don Fabio were never really able to do.

As a player Neville was never the lead star. He was always part of an impressive supporting cast to stars such as Beckham, Ronaldo and Rooney, but played just an important role. This summer, he will once again be joining the ensemble rather than grabbing the headlines himself, but it remains the case that with everything he has to offer, he could yet prove to be England’s shining light.  

The 23 players Hodgson must put his trust in

With less than a month to go until Euro 2012 starts, the competing nations have begun to announce the squads of 23 players they hope can take them all the way to the final in Kiev on 1 July.

Germany have announced theirs (frighteningly good), Ukraine have done theirs (one cap between three goalkeepers) and France have sort of done theirs (only the foreign-based players have been confirmed so far). This week the FA confirmed the England squad for the tournament - and Hodgson’s first as England manager - will be revealed on Wednesday.

Who will make Hodgson's 23?

Now I know what a tough task Roy Hodgson has on his hands: it seems like he’s been in the job only a matter of hours, and already he has to pick a squad that will play under the weight of the obligatory unrealistic expectations of the nation’s public. So to give Roy a hand, I’ve given him some food for thought by picking my suggested 23 for Poland and Ukraine:

Goalkeepers

Joe Hart
Undisputed number one and will go into the tournament on the back of a fine season, with potentially a champions medal around his neck by Sunday evening.

Robert Green
Has fully bounced back from his horror show in South Africa and has been consistently good since. A decent back up for Hart.

Scott Carson
It’s slim pickings for English goalkeepers beyond Hart and Green, particularly with Foster and Robinson unlikely to play for their country again.

Defenders

Ashley Cole
One of England’s most consistent performers and despite a wobbly start to the season, has been in sensational form during Chelsea’s unlikely march to the Champions League final.

Joleon Lescott
Often the choice of Roberto Mancini to partner captain Vincent Kompany in Manchester City’s defence, Lescott has had a solid season and can also operate at left-back should Cole be unavailable.

Gary Cahill
Still not convinced he is rock solid positionally, but can certainly play with the ball at his feet and dangerous in the opposition’s box as well.

John Terry
The man everyone outside of west London loves to hate, Terry will almost certainly start in the opener against France despite a shaky end to the season and rumours that he’s unpopular in the dressing room.

Rio Ferdinand
Big question marks over his fitness in recent seasons, but is enjoying a good run of games and brings vital tournament experience to the squad. Still a class act when fit.

Phil Jones
Has experienced an up and down season, with some great early performances but not enough games in any one position for him to settle properly. Young, versatile and energetic though; he has a lot to offer.

Glen Johnson
An under-appreciated talent who often seems to be Liverpool’s stand-out player in what is increasingly an average side. Dangerous in attack, generally solid for England and can play left side if needed too.

Kyle Walker
The PFA Young Player of the Year fully deserved his award and not looked out of place in his early appearances for England. His pace is a huge asset going forwards and backwards.

Midfielders

Scott Parker
The most recent captain of England and strong contender for the role during Euro 2012, Parker is up there with the best anchors around and keeps the ball brilliantly. Should be a certain starter.

Gareth Barry
Seems a long time ago that the nation sweated on his fitness for South Africa, but he is one of the more intelligent users of the ball we have and is in good form. 

James Milner
No longer the wide man he used to be and now more a reliable up and downer. Is that what England needs? In an otherwise one-paced midfield, I’d suggest it is at least a good option.

Steven Gerrard
Remains a shame that his talents have often been wasted by England managers, intent on shifting him to the left or right side of midfield. Perhaps on the wane, but still has a lot to offer and likely to start.

Frank Lampard
Written off at the start of the season, he is another of the Chelsea players that seems to have been rejuvenated in recent months. Not always great for England, but will be on the plane for sure.

Ashley Young
When he isn’t diving, young can be devastatingly dangerous. Great set piece taker and also chips in with his fair share of goals. Would like to see him tried in a floating role.

Adam Johnson
Not had much of a look in at City this season, but still remains England’s best left-sided midfielder for years. Always good for England and can often be the key to unlock stubborn defences.

Theo Walcott
Major doubts over his fitness, but if he can get fully fit, he will deserve his place on the plane. Clearly hasn’t fulfilled his potential, but pace is frightening and has certainly matured this season.

Forwards

Wayne Rooney
Despite being suspended for the first two games, Rooney has to go. Despite a suspect temperament, he is England’s talisman and still our only genuinely world class player.

Andy Carroll
Over-priced? Definitely, but also under-used. Carroll has shown in recent weeks that there is a top footballer somewhere inside him, and Hodgson should use him as his go-to ‘big man’.

Daniel Sturridge
At times this season, has threatened to look a real star. He’s inconsistent a little too self-assured, but is also very talented and is worth having as an option to play off a front man.

Jermain Defoe
Wouldn’t have made this list had Bent been fit, but the Aston Villa’s injury means Hodgson is clutching at straws for another striker deserving of a place. Defoe remains a sharp finisher though.

So there we have it, my England squad for Euro 2012. In short, it looks strong at the back, robust but a little unimaginative in midfield and worryingly light up front. Sound familiar?

All we are saying is....give Roy a chance

New England boss, Roy Hodgson

The appointment of Roy Hodgson as the next England manager proves two things: firstly, the FA are clearly not swayed by popular opinion; and secondly, I know nothing about football, after I wrongly predicted on this blog that Stuart Pearce would be appointed to the role.

Hodgson’s appointment has not been met with the excitement that the FA might have hoped for. Many think he is a nice guy but not the sort of character that can manage the big egos of an England squad, some feel he is too defensive tactically and others just wanted Harry Redknapp. Whilst few are scathing about the appointment, people are not exactly dancing in the streets about it either.

I feel Hodgson has been judged a little unfairly. Most of those criticising him seem to be pointing to a disappointing spell in charge of Liverpool during 2010-2011, which would be fair enough, if ‘King’ Kenny Dalglish had fared any better in the role since then. Contrary to what some deluded Liverpool fans might tell you, he has not.

Clearly much of the criticism of the appointment is born out of the fact that Roy Hodgson is not Harry Redknapp. With his ‘cheeky chappie’ persona and penchant for attacking football, Redknapp was the clear fans’ favourite for the job. He did little to distance himself from the speculation, although interestingly, his Spurs team’s dramatic decline in form since that speculation started may well have played a crucial role in the FA’s decision to look elsewhere. Redknapp is also not exactly famous for his tactical nous either, something that won’t have escaped the FA’s attention. Whatever the reason not to appoint Harry Redknapp, I hardly think its fair for Roy Hodgson to take the blame.

I for one am pleased with the appointment. Hodgson is a man that has managed two of the biggest clubs in the world - Liverpool and Internazionale - and has also been in charge of three other national teams. He has coached in an international tournament environment, as well as taking clubs to European competition finals. For me, he certainly has the credentials you would expect of an England manager.

He has also proved during his recent spells in charge of both Fulham and West Brom, that he can get the very best out of fairly average playing squads. This sounds like exactly the type of man we need in charge of the current England team. 

Hodgson deserves both a chance and support from the fans and the media. Will he get it? Almost certainly not. As a nation, we seem to want to make it difficult for ourselves. Certainly in international footballing terms, we set ridiculous expectations for the team and its manager, and then will them both to fail. Despite the incredibly challenging circumstances Hodgson will be working under, I see no reason why this year will be any different. 

I do hope that for once, things will be different though. I hope people get behind the team and remember that the squad is in transition, and the manager will have little over a month to prepare them. I hope people appreciate the skills, knowledge and yes, politeness that Hodgson will bring to the role, and give him the support he needs. 

Getting out of the groups this year will be a great achievement in my eyes, but finally getting over our propensity for heading into tournaments with ridiculous expectations could be even more important.