The Top Flight
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England manager Roy Hodgson not ruthless enough

By Freddie Boston

SAINT-ETIENNE, FRANCE - JUNE 20: England Manager / Head Coach Roy Hodgson walks onto the pitch at the end of the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between Slovakia and England at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on June 20, 2016 in Saint-Etienne, France. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
SAINT-ETIENNE, FRANCE - JUNE 20: England Manager / Head Coach Roy Hodgson walks onto the pitch at the end of the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between Slovakia and England at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on June 20, 2016 in Saint-Etienne, France. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Roy Hodgson played not to lose. Top managers play to win.

Daniel Sturridge’s last gasp winner against Wales set England on their way in Euro 2016, but manager Roy Hodgson dropped the ball.

A win over Slovakia would have seen England win Group B and land in a favorable section of the draw for the knockout stages. Instead, Hodgson was content not to lose. England didn’t lose, but they failed to break down a stubborn Slovakia in a frustrating 0-0 draw, opening the door for Wales to take first place.

France rested players against Switzerland on Sunday night and it didn’t work. The difference? France had already qualified for the Round of 16 and would need to lose to surrender first place. England weren’t even guaranteed a place in the knockout stages ahead of Monday’s game with Slovakia.

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The addition of Sturridge and Jamie Vardy gave England a jolt of life against Wales, and what we saw in the second half was the team’s best lineup. It felt like an easy decision to keep things as they were for the Slovakia game, but Hodgson decided to make six changes.

Out came Kyle Walker and Danny Rose. Walker was arguably the best England player through two games with his blistering pace on the right wing. Nathaniel Clyne put in a good performance, but Walker should never have been dropped.

Wayne Rooney was left on the bench. The captain of the England national side was sat on the sidelines. Why? To rest them for the knockouts England hadn’t yet qualified for.

Rest? They’re two games into the tournament. They don’t need to be rested.

Roy Hodgson played not to lose. Top managers play to win.

In the 2009 Ashes series, Australia and England were tied at 1-1 heading into the fifth and final test match. Australia only needed a draw to retain The Ashes, but when captain Ricky Ponting was asked what their approach to the game would be, his response was simple: “What do you think?”.

Australia don’t settle for draws. They were always going to go all in for victory. They didn’t want to draw the series, they wanted to win it.

Hodgson and England lack the same aggression. After defeating Wales on Saturday, Hodgson spoke about feeling sorry for Wales:

"“If I had been watching from afar and not been with England and watching Wales play some other opponent I would have felt very sorry for them,” Hodgson told Sky Sports.“But they will have to excuse me not feeling sorry for them because I want to be pleased with ourselves.”"

Would Jose Mourinho be talking about feeling sorry for his opponents? What about Sir Alex Ferguson?

This is a major soccer tournament. There is no room for sympathy. That same Wales team is now celebrating winning Group B ahead of England. How much sympathy will they feel for England?

Hodgson’s decision to rest six players made a statement that he was happy for second place. He was happy to settle.

Roy Hodgson played not to lose. Top managers play to win.

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