Waddle wants England rethink

Chris Waddle does not believe England’s weakness at retaining possession will ever be resolved until attitudes towards children’s football changes radically.

Although Roy Hodgson declared himself satisfied with a 1-1 draw against France that was well received by both supporters and media alike, UEFA’s own statistics told a staggering story.

Fifteen efforts on target to one in favour of the French, who completed in excess of 600 passes compared to England’s 307.

Little wonder Scott Parker and James Milner looked exhausted as Hodgson’s midfield raced around in searing temperatures to deny France the room to exhibit their talents.

Yet such tactics, whilst fine against a team that has now extended its unbeaten run to 22 games, do not seem sustainable over the period of a six-game competition, which explains why any optimism around the England camp is being kept within a manageable framework.

Waddle is particularly agitated at the English failings in possession.

However, he does acknowledge the problem goes far deeper than one match under a new national manager.

Speaking at a fan event organised by England sponsors Vauxhall, the 62-times capped former international said: “We are not patient enough.

“It is not just the players, it is the fans. When you get the ball into a certain area, they expect you to get it into the box, not check back and keep it.

“You are talking about educating an entire country, kids, coaches, fans and players. Until that happens, nothing will change.

“Our conveyor belt stopped after 1990,” he said.

“We had players who could get hold of a football and do something with it.

“Now we are relying on Wayne Rooney. Where are the rest?”

It is only last month that the FA introduced new rules for junior football aimed at improving standards.

From the start of 2013-14, youth matches will be played with fewer players, on shorter pitches, with smaller goals over less time, a combination it is hoped will allow youngsters to develop their techniques.

Waddle is not convinced of their merits, mainly because the fundamental problem, he believes, that of a desire to win over any other consideration, is not being addressed.

“You have to let the kids play, let them control the ball, dribble it, pass it. It is about having good habits,” he said.

“Unfortunately, parents are not interested. They just want to win. So much money has been spent on academies but I would get rid of them.

“Let the kids play with their mates and stop them from going to a club until they are 13. By that time you know what they are good at and what they are not so good at and can work accordingly.

“At the moment, we do everything for them but we are ending up making robots, not football players.”

At least in their next opponents, Sweden, England are preparing to meet an opponent who play in a similar style to their own, even if Hodgson accepts patience in possession is an area of potential improvement.

“The one thing we need to do is build up our confidence so that when we get the ball into the final third maybe we will take that extra touch, or extra pass and be a bit more patient,” Hodgson stated.

“It is not an English characteristic but when you reach this level of football you can get caught out a little bit if you don’t do it. Then the counter-attacks can become very dangerous.”