ROY HODGSON says he is not prepared to beg FA Chairman Greg Dyke for a new contract.

Further evidence he has no tactical acumen whatsoever, then.

I’m not too proud to admit to blatant crawling to those who are above me (everyone).

You don’t think I got this job on my writing ability or betting acumen alone do you? Only yesterday I mentioned to the editor: “I agree with everything you’ve ever said or thought in your life.”

Hodgson’s contract is up at the end of this tournament and even he must know he won’t be offered a new one if England get knocked out by a land made of ice.

Iceland only has a population of 330,000 people, the most famous of which are former Mastermind host Magnus Magnusson and singer Bjork. This means there’s just a 2000-1 chance of you representing your country if you’re Icelandic. Magnusson won 42 caps and Bjork 12.

The good news for Roy (above) is that England will win – and win well. There is no bad news – unless you’ve been following the tips in this column.

England have been unfairly criticised on the evidence of what they’ve achieved in their three group games, which admittedly isn’t much.

The three teams England have faced thus far have employed a safety-first strategy.

But England are not alone in failing to impress.

France failed to beat Switzerland, Germany couldn’t break down Poland, Spain lost to Croatia and Italy were beaten by the Republic of Ireland.

This is a tournament without an outstanding team.

You get the feeling that England will eventually convert one of the chances they create, hopefully while they’re still at this tournament.

When they do their opponents will have to change their game plan.

England will beat Iceland and if they get that all-important early goal a few more may arrive.