‘England don’t do things differently’, says Wales boss Coleman

Roy Hodgson: Doesn't change tactics, according to Coleman

Roy Hodgson: Doesn't change tactics, according to Coleman

Wales boss Chris Coleman says England chief Roy Hodgson “rarely changes tactics” and he knows exactly how their Euro 2016 rivals will play in France.

The two neighbours go head-to-head in a ‘Battle of Britain’ in Lens on June 16 and Coleman is convinced England counterpart Roy Hodgson will not surprise him with any tactical changes.

Hodgson’s squad for the double-header against Germany and Holland this week has a fresh feel about it with Danny Drinkwater, Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy among those new to the England set-up since the 2014 World Cup.

But Coleman insists England “don’t do things so differently” and admits he will not study them as much before Euro 2016 as other group rivals Slovakia and Russia.

“I know Roy very well, he rarely changes tactically,” said Coleman.

“He is a very thorough manager and coach, he believes in what he does and he won’t change his formation against Holland so much.

“If England were going to change formation drastically it is something I would study, but I don’t see them doing that.

“We would never be disrespectful to a team of their quality, but we know all about them and they don’t do things so differently.

“We will do our homework and due diligence but it is not a team we will need to scrutinise like Slovakia and Russia, because we know a little bit less about them.”

Wales crank up their European Championship preparations against fellow finalists Northern Ireland in Cardiff on Thursday – the final home game before their first major tournament for 58 years.

Their two other pre-Euro 2016 friendlies will be away to Ukraine on Monday and Sweden at the start of June, but this week’s double-header has been overshadowed by Coleman’s failure to yet agree a new contract to cover the 2018 World Cup campaign.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill said his new four-year deal signed last week provided “stability” for his squad heading towards Euro 2016, but Coleman insists his players remain unaffected by uncertainty over his future.

“We have worked so hard to be where we are and the players won’t lose focus,” said Coleman.

“It’s all about the tournament, about doing as well as we can.

“What comes after the tournament that’s in the future, but we have got to concentrate on this.

“I think my relationship with the players is good enough that we are just focused on what is in front of us.

“Right through the campaign, it was all about the next game.

“There is already rumours outside of the camp about this, that and the other because the contract is not agreed.

“But all I can say is that I am totally focused on Wales, totally committed as I’ve always been, and looking forward to these games coming up.

“I’ve always said that I want to have a crack at the World Cup campaign if things are absolutely right.”

Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey head a lengthy Wales injury list which also includes Hal Robson-Kanu, Andy King, James Collins, Paul Dummett and David Edwards.

Defender Ben Davies and striker Tom Bradshaw will also miss the Northern Ireland game, although Coleman hopes the pair will recover in time for the trip to Kiev.

“We have to cope with that (injuries) and be careful what message we send to everyone else in the squad.

“Everyone wants to talks about Bale and Rambo (Ramsey). I understand that, they are great players.

“But I promise we didn’t qualify because of two players.

“They were of course a huge help, but the others players who have been involved in the last two years have been magnificent.”