England FA to produce detailed World Cup report

London: The Football Association is preparing a 384-page tactical report on the World Cup to help England boss Roy Hodgson’s bid to qualify for Euro 2016.

Coaches and analysts have spent the past week at St George’s Park poring over video footage of every World Cup game played in Brazil so far.

Detailed research on each match has been submitted to the organisation’s head of talent identification, Mike Rigg, who will assess what overall tactical trends have emerged and how England should react.

A huge cinema-style screen has been set up at the operational hub at St George’s with the team, of more than 30 people, divided into pairs to scrutinise each game.

Analysts are expected to write up six pages on their match in a pre-determined template, focusing on formations and the way managers adapted their tactics during games.

Under-20 manager Aidy Boothroyd and Under-21 boss Gareth Southgate are also being given an input and conclusions will be discussed with Hodgson and his staff at the end of the tournament.

Initial conclusions have noted the differences between European team planning and South American reliance on individual flair, which is likely to cause a discussion about how England should approach tournaments. There is a feeling that Hodgson was caught between two stools in Brazil.

His side won praise against Italy with the skill and energy of young forwards such as Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling. But defeat against Uruguay highlighted some serious defensive failings as Luis Suarez knocked England out.

Despite growing optimism before the tournament, England exited the World Cup group stages for the first time since 1958 by taking just one point from three games to finish bottom of Group D behind Costa Rica, Uruguay and Italy.

— Mail On Sunday