ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson should be made to sit and watch the whole of the recent entertaining European Cup final match between the two German club sides. Maybe, then, he will realize what is wrong with English football.

He might notice that the Germans played their game going forward whereas, the England team against the Irish played their game going backwards.

It is frustrating to say the least when a player receives the ball, then with no opponent within 30 or 40 yards in front of him he decides to turn round and pass back to another of his colleagues, thus stopping the flow of play and handing the advantage to the opposition.

Maybe the England team should be fitted with blinkers to keep them pointed towards the opponents’ half.

Unfortunately, this “back passing” approach in English football is reducing us to also-ran status among the footballing hierarchy.

T Seale, Middlesbrough