Graham Taylor rues missing out on World Cup finals, sends warning to Roy Hodgson

Graham Taylor has warned Roy Hodgson to be wary of what could be in store of him if England fail to qualify for the World Cup next week. England faces two tough tasks against Montenegro and Poland, and Graham who faced a similar situation 20 years ago has asked Roy to be careful.

“If England win it’s thanks to the players, if they don’t it’s the manager’s fault,” says Taylor. “I knew that, so there was nothing for me to do but take responsibility and resign. If he doesn’t qualify Roy will have to handle a lot of stuff coming in his direction. What I experienced taught me a lot about life and human nature.”

Taylor also spoke about consistency issues when it came to selection of players. He said, “As England manager you have to develop personal relationships with the top club managers to persuade them to release you their best players. Some you get on well with, some you don’t.

“But where I think Roy is suffering is that these days club managers look on the international break as an opportunity to help players recover from little niggles. Effectively it’s two weeks off to sort the smallest of issues.”

However, Graham is confident that Roy will be able to turn things around this time for England and emerge successfully from the weekend tests that lie ahead of him.

“I seem to be the only person in the country not worried,” he says. “What is up with all of us? Top of the table, two to play at home, a goal difference that’s excellent: why are people nervous? What’s the problem? Goodness me, I wish I was in Roy’s position.”