Lee Dixon admitted concerns about Roy Hodgson’s team selection before England’s opener against Russia
Ex-Arsenal star thought goals would be shy with single striker as opposed to the diamond formation tested in friendlies
LEE DIXON admitted he was “worried” by Roy Hodgson’s team selection ahead of England‘s Euro 2016 clash against Russia.
Hodgson scrapped the diamond formation he deployed against Portugal in favour of a system which uses wide men Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana.
But Dixon, who played 22 times for the Three Lions, expressed his concern about where the goals would come from with one striker up front.
The ITV pundit said: “I’m naturally worried about England.
“Importantly, we have different ways of playing – he’s [Hodgson] chosen this one.
“The last friendly against Portugal we lost the opportunity to play the diamond, with Rooney behind Vardy and Kane.
“We didn’t play that way. They played wider – Rooney played down the middle and they [Vardy and Kane] were asked to do jobs they weren’t used to.
“Vardy wants to go over the top towards goal and they didn’t do that. I felt sorry for him.
I’m naturally worried about England
Lee Dixon
“We’ve come in with a new system now. I look at Kane – goals.
“Where will the rest come from if Rooney plays in midfield?
“We only need one [goal] to be fair and we can win 1-0.”
Hodgson reverted to the formation he used against Germany in March, when England won 3-2 in Berlin.
And Dixon, speaking before Saturday’s game, hoped the Three Lions would play in the same way at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
He added: “I just look at that side and he’s gone back to the way we played against Germany.
“He’s gone back to the way we played against Germany. Where we pressed Germany with that energy, I hope it’s like that tonight.”
But Ian Wright thinks Jamie Vardy wasx given a raw deal in being dropped.
The Leicester striker started against Portugal this month but failed to make an impact on the match.
Arsenal legend and SunSport columnist Wrighty said: “I feel sorry for Vardy because he had to track back against Portugal.
England team to play Russia
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart
Defenders: Kyle Walker, Chris Smalling, Gary Cahill, Danny Rose
Midfielders: Wayne Rooney (C), Eric Dier, Dele Alli
Forwards: Adam Lallana, Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling
“If he has to track back that’s not a problem if you know, when midfielders get the ball, they’re going to hit that space. You know you’ll get to do what you’ve done every week.
“But for him to play in that system and they’re not doing that. Sometimes he wasn’t looking for that run because they weren’t looking to pass it.
“I’m disappointed for him.”
