England build foundations for work in progress
Reuters - Tuesday 12 June 2012, 09:43
England may not have passed Roy
Hodgson's first competitive test as national team manager with a
flourish but by avoiding defeat against an in-form France on
Monday they built belief that they can make progress at Euro
2012.
Two 1-0 wins in warm-up games and a 1-1 draw in their
opening Group D clash in Donetsk confirmed that Hodgson,
installed as manager on May 1, is building his team from the
back - and building confidence at the same time.
Unbeaten in three outings under their new manager, England
avoided further injuries and showed enough flashes of promise to
justify thinking about making the last eight.
But to do that, warned goalscoring defender Joleon Lescott,
they will have to continue working hard and creating the
momentum that can carry them through difficult games against
Sweden and Ukraine to reach the quarter-finals.
"Overall, it was a good performance - and a very
accomplished one as well," said Lescott, whose headed opening
goal after half an hour was followed by Samir Nasri's equaliser
nine minutes later.
"Obviously, France are unbeaten in a lot of games - now 22
- so we knew it was going to be tough. Before the tournament,
France were one of the favourites to win the competition never
mind our group.
"So I think we have to be positive and take confidence from
a good result," added Lescott whose goal was the first he has
scored for his country.
HARDEST GAME
"On paper, it looks as if we have come through our hardest
game with a draw but we know Sweden won't be easy and Ukraine
are the home nation. They are going to be difficult games.
"The key is to keep it in our own hands and go into each
game with everything to play for, to build momentum and keep
improving.
"Not losing is the thing that breeds confidence and then it
grows and grows. It was important for us to do that and we
achieved our target.
"Maybe we fell away a bit after we took the lead, but it was
still a good performance and we know what to do for Sweden now."
Reduced expectations have enabled England to work on their
shape and style without the usual hype but, after Sweden's 2-1
defeat by Ukraine, hopes will rise with the knowledge that a win
in Kiev could put them on the brink of going through.
"It was a building performance for us," said Hodgson. "We
are improving all the time. We are going to be fitter and a
better team with each game that we play, so I hope that brings
us the results we need."