Rooney, Hodgson refuse to take Euro 2016 Wales bait
Midfielder Adam Lallana said that such an outcome would be “devastating” and Hodgson and team captain Wayne Rooney have released a video message pleading for calm.
However, the Welsh star’s perception of England’s passion was of no interest to Hodgson, who preferred to focus on the football and the challenge Thursday’s opponents pose.
“In the press conference, someone said I disrespected England - that wasn’t the case”, he said in a press conference.
Gareth Bale’s individual ability could be enough to earn Wales victory over England at Euro 2016, says Carlo Ancelotti, but the Italian warned against man-marking the forward.
“So we look at that. They’ve won one, we haven’t, so they’re under less pressure”.
Who do you think will win on Thursday, England or Wales?
“They’re starting to talk some silly talk, that no player in the England team would get in the Wales team”.
The likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey have enjoyed the pre-game talk, with differences of opinion of which is the more passionate and proud nation drawing a reaction from the England camp.
‘Talk is talk; action on the field is action on the field, ‘ he said.
Over 150 Russian hooligans are said to be behind a violent encounter with the English fans last Saturday after Russia’s 1-1 draw with England in the group B opening fixture of EURO 2016.
“We’re not going to prepare differently because we’re playing Wales and we know a lot more of their players as they play in the Premier League”.
Wales head in as group leaders, having scraped a late victory over Slovakia courtesy of goals from Gareth Bale and Hal Robson-Kanu.
“That’s what he feels but I’m sure all us English players will feel different”. “When three teams go through and you win a game you’re basically through”.
Police numbers were boosted in Lens, with 2,400 security personnel on the streets.
Of course Wales fans will be desperate to see lightning strike for a second time at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
But Chester, who played over 150 games for the Tigers before an £8m move to West Bromwich in July previous year, insists there is no argument when it comes down to who has the best player.
Joe Ledley and Hal Robson-Kanu are both pushing for starting roles after coming off the bench against Slovakia, the latter scuffing in a raucously celebrated 81st-minute victor.
The match is being labeled a Premier League game on an global stage, given that 19 of the likely starters play in England’s top flight. Teams which finish their group games on the same number of points are separated by their head-to-head records before goal difference comes in to play.