Simply by picking Arsenal young gun Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Hodgson has got off to a good start.
England’s 1-1 draw with France was a satisfactory, if not glorious first competitive game for Roy Hodgson.
After winning both pre-tournament friendly matches 1-0, the former West Brom boss was beginning to cultivate a reputation as a safe manager, rather than a risk taker.
This was expected to manifest itself in playing Stewart Downing on the wing, a player from which England fans expect little.
So by selecting Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in his opening game, he confounded many doubters.
He took a little risk, and Oxlade-Chamberlain did not let him down, with an assured display which showed promise, even if he was unable to influence the game in England’s favour.
It sets a bold precedent, that Hodgson is not going to waste his chance as England boss, and wants his team to attack as much as they defend.
All of this can be undone in the next two games, but supporters should be encouraged at his approach and continue to get behind the team and manager.
‘The Ox’ was his wildcard pick, the one youngster in his squad who was not a Premier League star prior to this season. Picking him in the squad was one thing, but selecting him from the start is another.
It is in contrast to the bizarre approach of Sven Goran Erikssen at World Cup 2006.
He picked a young Theo Walcott in the squad, leaving behind many a established Premier League striker, but did not even use him.
There really was no point Sven selecting Walcott if he was not going to give him a run out, in extra time against Portugal in the quarter-finals would have been the perfect time, but he brought on Carragher instead. Had he brought on Walcott and he influenced the game, both player and manager would have been instant heroes.
The conservative tact is one Hodgson is so far steering clear from in selecting Oxlade-Chamberlain. There are differences, Walcott was yet to start a Premier League game, but if he was not worth playing, why select him at all?
For just this very reason of being bold enough to carry through with his wildcard pick, Hodgson is one up in our eyes on Sven already, even after just competitive game, and would have been regardless of the result.
How bold will Hodgson continue to be? Will it pay off?
image: © TiM BiG
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