Roy’s uphill battle

SPORTS BETTING:

Roy Hodgson has become the next England football manager.

This thoroughly-decent chap has problems pronouncing his Rs — in much the same manner as chat show host Jonathan Woss.

I wonder what he thought about Harry Redknapp being overlooked for the job after the bookies made the current Spurs boss as short as 10-1 ON at one stage? Surprise, probably, but elation at landing a job he has always coveted.

Hodgson may not have that emotion for long, though, as our tabloid press will soon be on his case if – or more likely when – England start to struggle against superior opponents.

The European Championships are looming large and Hodgson will need to work a miracle if an England side of limited ability is to make an impact.

Our boys are 12-1 to win the competition, which is too short in my view, while Spain – whose Real Madrid and Barcelona contingent will be sulking following their Champions League exits – are 11-4 to retain the trophy.

I expect Germany to be the team to beat so it is no surprise to see them at 7-2, with Holland 15-2 and France overpriced at 14s, alongside Italy.



FOR once, Sir Alex Ferguson got his tactics wrong as Manchester United succumbed to bitter rivals City on Monday night.

By packing the midfield and playing with a lone striker, he was virtually admitting he was frightened of City and worried about the quality of his team’s defending.

In choosing this tactic, he also split up the Wayne Rooney-Danny Welbeck partnership which had been responsible for United’s recent successes and this allowed City to bomb forward with impunity.

The 1-0 scoreline did not flatter City and the Premier League title is now theirs to lose.

They have a tricky fixture at Newcastle on Sunday but, after the Toon’s capitulation at Wigan last weekend, confidence in the home camp will surely be dented.

City are 1-2 to go on and claim the title, with United out to 2-1. Win at Newcastle and at home to QPR and City will surely clinch it on goal difference.



FOLLOWING yesterday’s draw for the Carnegie Challenge Cup quarter-finals, Wigan have been made 11-4 favourites to lift the coveted rugby league trophy.

Warrington are next-best at 9-2 with Leeds at 5-1, Huddersfield 7s, Catalans 15-2 and St Helens – conquerors of Oldham in the last round – on 8-1.



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