Phil Jagielka hopes England can take advantage of lower expectations at Euro 2012 after years of underachievement.
Centre-back was frustrated to be initially overlooked by Hodgson
Phil Jagielka hopes England can take advantage of lower expectations at Euro 2012 after years of underachievement.
Roy Hodgson's Three Lions will kick-off their campaign in Poland and Ukraine against France in Group D on 11th June.
England are entering the tournament without any of the usual winners-elect hype due to the short notice of Hodgson's appointment and an injury-hit squad.
And Jagielka, who himself was only named in the final 23-man traveling party after Gareth Barry was ruled unfit, thinks the lack of pressure could prove beneficial.
Asked if it would be helpful, the Everton centre-back said at a media conference broadcast live on
Sky Sports News: "I'm sure if we win a game, we'll be favourites. If we lose a game, we'll be a waste of space.
Under the radar
"It's a hard one to call. It would be better for the squad if there is a little less expectation on us.
"Hopefully we can go under the radar until the latter stages of the tournament and hopefully get further than we have.
"But if we are being realistic, we have not won anything for a number of years now and maybe that is because we don't deserve to.
"Hopefully this time round we can perform a little bit better and see where it takes us."
Jagielka joked he had not thought about going to Euro 2012, because he was planning a golfing holiday before his late call.
Excellent
And the 29-year-old, who started last Saturday's warm-up friendly win over Norway, has admitted he was a little annoyed to have been initially only placed on stand-by by Hodgson.
"It was obviously a little bit frustrating," said Jagielka. "(I was) disappointed not to be in the original squad. But the manager was very honest and straight up with me."
Jagielka played alongside former Everton colleague Joleon Lescott in the England team against Norway in a repeat of their excellent partnership from the friendly victory over Spain last November.
And the ex-Sheffield United star enjoyed playing with Manchester City's Premier League winner, Lescott.
"Me an Jol' have known each other for about 10 years now, back to youth level with England," said Jagielka. "He is a day older than me, not that that makes any difference, but (we are) similar age.
"We have played together a lot at Everton."
