Hodgson - I dont know why I'm here; smint?

[PTP]

Surely our formation/attacking intent is down to Neville anyway? Doubt it's Woy

unless you mean Roy has been using this excellent, value for money service

http://asknevillesouthall.com/

[Norbs]

I laughed when it was all over SSN that’s it was Hodgson’s greatest achievement ever. Then I laughed even more when I realised is probably is.

Hodgson said it was his proudest moment, not his greatest achievement

[RedReet]

Hodgson said it was his proudest moment, not his greatest achievement

That's amazing, I din't even notice you in my Mummy's when I was watching.

[Buzzo]

Hodgson said it was his proudest moment, not his greatest achievement

I take it the greatest achievement is still the Fish Fingers cup or whatever it was he won a couple of decades ago?

[RedReet]

Hodgson said it was his proudest moment, not his greatest achievement

Actually, smart arse...

http://www.insidefutbol.com/2013/10/16/england-world-cup-qualification-my-greatest-achievement-roy-hodgson/104298/

(Can't copy and past for some reason)

[Chris]

He defo said greatest achievement in the interview I heard. Also said Englands football yesterday was "spectacular".

It was win, win for him really, blame the players and fans if they didnt win it, go in to self promotion mode if they did.

[Shaggy]

"But to suggest that because we have qualified from a difficult group makes us one of the favourites, I don't think many people would believe that."

Him saying it was a difficult group over and over again seems to have hoodwinked the nation into believing it was a difficult group. The mind boggles.

[dom9]

Him saying it was a difficult group over and over again seems to have hoodwinked the nation into believing it was a difficult group. The mind boggles.

It was a difficult group though, if you have the tactical nouse of a stegasaurus.

[Alex]

It was a piss easy group. France had a difficult group. We had San Marino, Montenegro, Poland and Ukraine. 4 teams who couldn't put together a credible threat even if they combined. He's a fraud.

[Roboklopp]

Repeat a lie often enough & it becomes truth. We saw that with the press & their treatment of Rafa.

[Exiled_red]

I laughed when it was all over SSN that’s it was Hodgson’s greatest achievement ever. Then I laughed even more when I realised is probably is.

[Exiled_red]

Him saying it was a difficult group over and over again seems to have hoodwinked the nation into believing it was a difficult group. The mind boggles.

Repeat a lie often enough & it becomes truth. We saw that with the press & their treatment of Rafa.

[Norbs]

Actually, smart arse...

http://www.insidefutbol.com/2013/10/16/england-world-cup-qualification-my-greatest-achievement-roy-hodgson/104298/

(Can't copy and past for some reason)

Fair enough, hairy muff

[Buzzo]

I don't see much point in England even going to Brazil due to the predictable nature of these events.

1. England drawn into ridiculously easy group.
2. Will initially make hard work of ridiculously easy group, before resounding win over mediocre opposition ignites enthusiasm in press and nation.
3. England receive favourable draw against easy opononents in round of 16.
4. Hard work made of favourable draw progress made with late extra time goal. Nation begins to believe, media reach fever pitch. Cut out Rooney masks mavailable for the masses in tabloids.
5. England tumble out on penalties losing out after resolute draw against first decent team faced in competitive match since the last finals when England lost out on penalties to the first decent team faced in competitive match since previous tournament.

Flat track bullies. Always found out against quality opposition.

[McDermotX]

'Feed the monkey'

Top stuff Roy....top stuff.

Roy Hodgson has become involved in a bizarre row over a space monkey joke and England World Cup hero Andros Townsend.

England boss Hodgson - who is believed to be upset over reaction to the joke - told it in the Wembley changing rooms at half-time of the Three Lions’ dramatic qualifying victory over Poland on Tuesday.

It was intended to illustrate the idea that Hodgson wanted right-back Chris Smalling to play the ball more often to Townsend, who was terrorising the Polish defence.

But it is believed at one least one player was shocked, because he thought it carried racist connotations.

Both Hodgson and the FA are mortified that what they insist is a horrible misunderstanding has become an issue.

"I would like to apologise if any offence has been caused by what I said at half-time," he said.

"There was absolutely no intention on my part to say anything inappropriate. I made this clear straight away to Andros in the dressing room.

"I also spoke to Andros again on Wednesday. He has assured me and The FA he did not take any offence, and understood the point I was making in the manner I intended."

The joke, which Hodgson is believed to have told in full, is one that was popular at American space agency NASA.

“NASA decided they’d finally send a man up in a capsule after sending only monkeys in the earlier missions,” the joke goes.

“They fire the man and the monkey into space.

“The intercom crackles, 'Monkey, fire the retros.'

“A little later, 'Monkey, check the solid fuel supply.'

“Later still, “Monkey, check the life support systems for the man.'

“The astronaut takes umbrage and radioes NASA, 'When do I get to do something?'

“NASA replies, 'In 15 minutes - feed the monkey.'”

Hodgson was trying to use the joke to emphasise to the England team that Townsend, who was having another brilliant game, held the key to victory.

Townsend and his father, Troy - who works for the anti-racist Kick It Out organisation - are not thought to have been angered by the remarks, but could not be reached for comment at the time of writing.

Hodgson, who achieved perhaps the best moment of his career on Tuesday when England qualified for next year’s World Cup, is upset about the furore.

The joke is insensitive, perhaps, in the current highly charged racial climate in football.

But Hodgson is an urbane, enlightened man, who may now be regretting using the wrong analogy.