John Barnes: We should support consistent Roy Hodgson

Former Liverpool and England midfielder John Barnes believes that West Bromwich Albion manager Roy Hodgson is the right man to lead the Three Lions into the European Championships.

The 64-year-old is believed to be undergoing discussions with the Football Association today over becoming Fabio Capello's permanent successor, with Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp seemingly overlooked.

"Let us go back to being hard to beat and strong," Barnes told BBC Radio Five Live. "Roy will give us consistency. We are not Barcelona, we are not Spain. We need a manager to make us play to our strengths.

"For too long we have thought we can play that type of football. We are not going back to being a long-ball team. But we are going back to being a good technical side. I feel there are horses for courses. At Liverpool, people didn't accept him from day one."

Meanwhile, Redknapp has claimed that he holds "no grudges" against the English governing body, despite being the favourite to take the position since February.