Hodgson will get tough with England team

England's footballers have been put on notice - perform at the World Cup or risk the wrath of manager Roy Hodgson.

England football manager Roy Hodgson is ready to unleash his "nasty side" if his men underachieve at this year's World Cup, according to assistant Ray Lewington.

Hodgson's affable personality comes across clearly in public appearances and England's players have often spoken about how much they enjoy working under the articulate coach.

But, if they fall out of line, Hodgson's players are never spared a dressing down, according to Lewington, who has developed a close bond with the England manager during their five years together with Fulham and the national side.

That rarely-seen aggressive streak could be needed given England face a daunting World Cup group featuring matches against Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica.

"What you see is what you get with Roy, but people will be surprised to hear that he has a nasty side to him too," Lewington said in an interview for Crystal Palace's website.

"You ask some of the members of the Fulham squad. They know about it. It wasn't a forced anger. When he was angry he was genuinely angry and the players knew about it.

"He can be difficult to work for sometimes because he demands that everyone does their best. He has high standards.

"He is a very articulate, charming man, he does the job as he sees it and everyone has to get to that degree of excellence.

"If you don't, he tells you. He is what you see but he has also got that other side you don't see."


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


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