Parker: England can cause some surprises

Former England international Paul Parker believes Roy Hodgson’s side will benefit from their underdog status heading into Euro 2012.

Depleted by injuries to the likes of Kyle Walker, Frank Lampard and Gary Cahill and undermined by questionable selection decisions, such as Martin Kelly getting the nod over Rio Ferdinand, few Brits expect much of the team in Poland and Ukraine.

And Parker feels that is precisely the type of environment in which England – and Hodgson – can succeed.

“If you can look at what he (Hodgson) achieved at the hard end of the table with Fulham and West Bromwich Albion then it shows he has a lot about him as a coach and manager,” Parker told Goal.com.

“He started at the bottom of the ladder and he’s really fought to get up there and in football terms England are not at the top of the ladder and they have always had to battle their way through tournaments.

“So maybe Roy just might be the ideal person. Having players who play without fear will be crucial this summer and Roy has shown at West Brom and Fulham that he can do that.”

“It might not have worked out for him at Liverpool but he has a habit of getting teams to punch above their weight, and that is what he will have to do this summer because he has just two top-class players in his midst in Wayne Rooney and Joe Hart.”