Roy Hodgson Gives Bizarre Reply to England Critics After Defeat to Germany

Roy Hodgson produced a quite baffling defence of his misfiring England side following Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to Germany, after being harangued by journalists over his team’s failure to hit the target.

England did not produce a single shot on target—per BBC Sport—as Per Mertesacker’s first-half header settled the game deservedly in favour of the visitors.

Hodgson was asked, per Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail, why his team had not forced debutant keeper Roman Weidenfeller into a single save, to which he sharply replied: “What about (Andros) Townsend’s shot that hit the post? Is that not on target? I rest my case.”

For most football followers, hitting the frame of the goal does not count as a shot on target by virtue of the fact it does not result in a goal.

Townsend’s effort was superb and typical of the Tottenham man. He cut inside, appeared to be moving away from goal and then slashed a dangerous drive beyond Weidenfeller, who was rescued by the woodwork.

However, other than that moment, England were distinctly second-best. By employing a two-man central midfield, the hosts had no link between defence and attack. Each time Steven Gerrard or Tom Cleverley received the ball, a yawning gap appeared between them and the strikers.

It was no surprise that England didn’t score, with three players swarming Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge at all times. The 1-0 scoreline means they have failed to score in back-to-back home games.

Hodgson confessed his disappointment:

"

The major disappointment is twofold: we didn’t show the quality I expected and having 150,000 people through to watch us and send them home disappointed.

It’s not nice to lose, especially a second game at home, so one can’t be satisfied. But I’m not disappointed with the effort, work-rate and application.

"

There were positives. Townsend again gave directness to England’s attack, while Joe Hart performed well in goal. Adam Lallana also produced moments of promise, which clearly caught the eye of Hodgson.

“He's been a major find,” commented the England boss.

Tuesday’s game highlighted two key issues for England ahead of the World Cup. Firstly, the four-man midfield Hodgson favours simply will not work against quality opposition. And secondly, nations like Germany have a group of players on a different level, technically.

Hodgson has found a way to encourage fast football that suits the physical nature of English footballers, but now he must apply a formation that does not leave them so open.

A quick look at what equates to a shot on target might help, too.