England vs Wales: Talk is cheap, we'll show what we can do on the pitch - Roy Hodgson

James Benge16 June 2016

Roy Hodgson would be “ashamed” if his England side allowed the pre-match hype to hinder them on the field when they face Wales later today.

Gareth Bale has been among the Welsh voices piling pressure on England ahead of their Group B encounter at Euro 2016, claiming last week that his country’s supporters were more passionate than their English counterparts. He then turned his focus on the English squad, claiming not one of their number would make it into Chris Coleman’s team.

The opening round of fixtures would seem to echo Bale’s assertion; Wales claimed three points in Group B’s opener when they defeated Slovakia 2-1, the Real Madrid forward scoring their opener, whilst England were held to a 1-1 draw by Russia on Saturday evening.

Hodgson’s side sit third in the standings after Slovakia’s 2-1 win over Russia on Wednesday and defeat would leave England without a hope of topping the group. It only serves to heighten the pressure for the Three Lions in what is already set to be an emotive, fiery contest in Lens.

England in training ahead of Euro 2016 Wales match

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But the pre-match hype will not intimidate England when they take the field at the Stade Felix Bollaert-Delelis today, according to Hodgson.

“Talk is talk, action on the field is action on the field,” he said. “If we – myself and my players – really took it seriously, though about what other people in the other team are saying ahead of a game, and allowed it to affect our concentration, then we’d all be very ashamed of ourselves.

“We’re perfectly satisfied with the passion we bring to our game and we don’t doubt our desire, our commitment or our wish to do well in the tournament. If others think they’re better at it, fine by me. I’ve not heard anyone in the squad making reference to any comments that have been made.

“Whenever you play a game you will be classed as underdog or favourite but it really doesn’t make a ha’p’orth of difference when that whistle blows. We know what we’ve got to do. We think we will be ready to do it.”

Bale will be Wales’ most significant threat but Coleman has other dangerous operators to call on. Aaron Ramsey was one of their most impressive performers in victory over Slovakia, playing in an unorthodox advanced role with Bale spending much of the game operating as the most advanced attacker.

However Hodgson is not expecting his Welsh counterpart to spring a tactical surprise at kick-off.

“We don’t anticipate any vast changes in their style of play or personnel. We won’t be surprised by their line-up or what they try and do when they have the ball or don’t.”

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