Paris: There was a strong temptation to call England coach Roy Hodgson a master tactician after his halftime substitutions against Wales turned the game and brought the European Championship knockout stage into view.
The counterargument is that Hodgson erred in picking the wrong side in the first place, and his team selection for Monday’s Group B match against Slovakia in Saint-Etienne will give a big indication of the path England may take going into the round of 16.
With four points from two games, England is first in the group and has already done enough to secure a top-three place and probable qualification for the second round. Finishing first would secure an easier last-16 opponent, so the game against a Slovakia side also with first place in its sights is crucial. Slovakia, like Wales, has three points. Russia has one.
Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling started the 2-1 win over Wales, despite struggling for form. They were replaced at halftime by strikers Jamie Vardy and Daniel Sturridge, who scored England’s goals and sparked a livelier attacking display. They could both be handed starts by Hodgson against Slovakia.
That would mean playing with two strikers, another in midfield in captain Wayne Rooney, as well as attacking midfielders Adam Lallana and Dele Alli. Hodgson has a reputation for being a cautious coach, but he showed a daring side by picking five strikers in his squad at the expense of extra defensive cover and, at 68 years old, he could continue his bold streak.
Attack seems the best form of defence for this England side.
“I feel younger than ever, as long as I keep away from mirrors ... any mirrors around I avoid them,” Hodgson said. “In my head, I’ll always be 40.”
The English managed to stifle Wales forward Gareth Bale — his goal came from a set piece but he was relatively quiet in open play — and they will look to do the same to Slovakia’s undoubted star player, Marek Hamsik.
The Mahican-haired Napoli playmaker scored one goal and set up another in the 2-1 win over Russia on Wednesday and there remains a possibility that Hamsik could start up front on his own, like he did when Slovakia beat Spain in qualifying. Indeed, Slovakia has a decent record against the so-called big teams in recent years, having beaten Italy at the 2010 World Cup and world champion Germany in a recent friendly.
“I’m sure it will be tougher (against England) than the two matches we had,” Hamsik said.
Slovakia coach Jan Kozak is also set to make changes. Attacking midfielder Miroslav Stoch and defender Norbert Gyomber could get starts. And if Hamsik stays as a playmaker, Kozak must choose between Michal Duris, Adam Nemec or Stanislav Sestak upfront.
