MX23RW : Sunday, January 19 06:50:49| >> :600:1109677:1109677:

Steve McManaman insists England don't need to defend like Chelsea for success

McManaman:
© PA Photos
Former England player Steve McManaman assesses England's chances in Euro 2012.

Former England winger Steve McManaman has urged boss Roy Hodgson to give the fans a team to get excited about and ignore the "boring, boring, Chelsea" example of winning matches.

McManaman was an integral part of the England side that reached the semi-finals of Euro 1996, a team fondly remembered for their entertaining football.

"I really hope we don't go into the tournament to defend," McManaman told the Sunday Mirror.

"People are not expecting much from this England team- but it would be great if they could do out and give us something to be excited about.

"There is no way we should defend in numbers and play for a 1-0 against France, Sweden and Ukraine. Fair enough if we get to the later stages and face Holland or Spain, but we should try and give a good account of ourselves."

McManaman also praised Hodgson's decision to bring Gary Neville into his coaching staff, saying: "I think it was a great move to get Gary in. It shows Roy is willing to think a bit differently, we had Bryan Robson in a similar role at Euro 96."

ID:29575: cacheID:29575:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2032:
Written by
Liam Power
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Theo Walcott
Read Next:
Walcott: England's best "still to come"
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1am
Washington
@
Lions
8pm
Rams
@
Eagles
11.30pm
Ravens
@
Bills
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool21155150203050
2Arsenal22128243212244
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest21125430201041
4Newcastle UnitedNewcastle22115638261238
5Chelsea21107441261537
6Bournemouth22107536261037
7Aston Villa2210663334-136
8Manchester CityMan City2110563829935
9Fulham228953430433
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2171043229331
11Brentford2284104039128
12Crystal Palace226972528-327
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd217592629-326
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2275102743-1626
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs21731143321124
16Everton203891526-1117
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2144133148-1716
18Ipswich TownIpswich2137112037-1716
19Leicester CityLeicester2235142348-2514
20Southampton2113171347-346


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!