After starting the tournament with pundits saying that reaching the quarterfinals will be a achievement in itself for the England national team, people are now touting them up as one of the favourites to reach the semi-finals but Hodgson does not feel that the increase in expectations brings with it an increase in pressure as well...
When http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 in their opening group stage match, people had hardly thought that they will be favourites to make it to the semi-final stage but now after two out of three wins in the group stages and with Italy looming large in the quarterfinals, English fans are increasing their expectations.
Unlike others who came before him, Hodgson was cautious in his approach to the England fanfare as he never made comments such which signalled that England can win the European Championships or even reach the latter knockout stages.
However as the expectations increase, the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Liverpool-c39809 man is now viewing things different as he says that the increase in expectations has brought with it an increase in support which will benefit England. Hodgson’s full concentration is now on the Three Lions’ quarterfinal tie against Italy which is set to take place on Sunday.
With Ashley Young injured, the former Liverpool manager might face a tough choice to exclude the Manchester United winger from his line up and replace him with either http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Italy-c2926 in the quarterfinals but a triumph over the Azzurri will definitely be a welcome development for everyone associated with English football.
Hodgson said, "I don't mind the expectation getting greater. I am really pleased about it. We have been very buoyed by the news from home and the people we meet here. Everyone seems to be becoming an England fan again.”
The English national team manager further elaborated, "That is so important for us. If you are a football player or coach, you want people to appreciate you and get behind you; you want people to give you the feeling if I do have a bad game it is not going to be a catastrophe.”
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