England long-shots to win the World Cup in Brazil warns boss Roy Hodgson
"It's pretty obvious we're not favourites. We're getting better but some of the others are clearly bigger favourites than us"
Michael Regan - The FA
Roy Hodgson admits his England team WILL go to next summer's World Cup as outsiders.
Hodgson was quick to play down any talk of the Three Lions being able to win the tournament in Brazil, and refused to get caught up in any hype created by players, media or fans claiming that they can lift the trophy.
"Can we win the World Cup? It's pretty obvious we're not favourites to win the World Cup," said the England manager, the day after securing qualification with a Wembley win over Poland.
"We will do the best we can.
"I am really pleased we're going to be a part of it. I'll worry about whether we can win it later on.
"I think if you are going to define World Cups as only worthwhile if you win it, then, basically speaking, trying to qualify and get there becomes a waste of time, because we know there are very strong teams in the world.
"We know that in [World Cups held in] South America, they [South American sides] are unbeaten and European teams don't win there.
"But I am sure the European teams who go there know that statistic.
"I don't imagine any of us saying, 'This is impossible' - but
I must also say, and I think the general public will agree with me - we
have been in a slight transition.
"We are getting better, but whether or not we are getting to the level of some of the other teams who are clearly bigger favourites than us to win, then I don't think any of us would say that."
England join the hosts, holders Spain plus Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras and Iran, Italy, Japan, Germany, Holland, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland and the USA as nations to have qualified so far.
Next month will see European play-offs in which Croatia, Greece, Portugal and Sweden are the seeds and France, Iceland, Romania and Ukraine unseeded, plus intercontinental ties pitting Uruguay against Jordan and Mexico against New Zealand.
Hodgson was quick to play down any talk of the Three Lions being able to win the tournament in Brazil, and refused to get caught up in any hype created by players, media or fans claiming that they can lift the trophy.
"Can we win the World Cup? It's pretty obvious we're not favourites to win the World Cup," said the England manager, the day after securing qualification with a Wembley win over Poland.
"We will do the best we can.
"I am really pleased we're going to be a part of it. I'll worry about whether we can win it later on.
"I think if you are going to define World Cups as only worthwhile if you win it, then, basically speaking, trying to qualify and get there becomes a waste of time, because we know there are very strong teams in the world.
"We know that in [World Cups held in] South America, they [South American sides] are unbeaten and European teams don't win there.
"But I am sure the European teams who go there know that statistic.
"We are getting better, but whether or not we are getting to the level of some of the other teams who are clearly bigger favourites than us to win, then I don't think any of us would say that."
England join the hosts, holders Spain plus Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras and Iran, Italy, Japan, Germany, Holland, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland and the USA as nations to have qualified so far.
Next month will see European play-offs in which Croatia, Greece, Portugal and Sweden are the seeds and France, Iceland, Romania and Ukraine unseeded, plus intercontinental ties pitting Uruguay against Jordan and Mexico against New Zealand.
Check out all the latest News, Sport & Celeb gossip at Mirror.co.uk http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/england-long-shots-win-world-cup-2460514#ixzz2hxjPT6l2
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