Eddie Jones

I don’t approve of Australians in charge of English sporting teams, but if Jones had been in charge at the World Cup instead of that over-promoted youth team coach, I reckon we’d have reached the semi-finals at least. I’m no fan of rugby union, but beating Australia away at any sport is a wonderful achievement. All my fears about Roy Hodgson were confirmed in 45 miserable minutes. The England manager wasn’t helped by his team’s failure to score while dominating the opening half against Russia at the Euros, but the second-half was pitiful. Russia made a tactical adjustment to press England in possession and Hodgson made no effort to counter it. A free-kick for a foul that never was gave England a fortunate lead, but instead of pressing home an advantage with positive substitutions, Hodgson sent on a couple of slow-witted dopes who had no clue how to help shore a game up. England can’t defend so why try? The team’s strength is in attack. Sadly we have a coach whose instinct is to be cautious. The officiating has been quite good in the games I’ve watched, but it always baffles me at major tournaments as to why the best 16 referees in Europe are not invited to take part. If that means six Englishmen to accompany Mark Clattenburg (above) and Martin Atkinson then so be it. I don’t understand why officials from nations like Norway who have very little experience of big games and big crowds are asked to referee high-pressure matches. It’s too big a step up. Opening game wins for Spain, Italy, Germany and France. These top nations know how to hit the ground running and they know how to see matches out when in front. Skills England have yet to learn.