Roy Hodgson’s critics are talking crêpe, England can enjoy revenge, glory and immortality in France

It is nice to be nice, but apparently not when you are an England manager bound for Nice.

The knives are already being sharpened for a good old Hodg spit roast on the French Riviera on Monday evening, and not just from a rabid tabloid press ahead of what could be Roy's final stand as coach.

On the week of Brexit, there already seems to be a vote of no confidence from the Football Association that will lead to Hodgson's exit if England descend into a state of torpor in the first knockout phase.

Judging by some of the nonsensical reaction to England’s failure to slay Slovakia on Monday in a 0-0 draw that belied the nature of the shelling the Slovaks were subjected to, the harangued Hodgson should be readying his resignation speech as the country prepares for their last-16 match on Monday.

As unhelpful as it all sounds, it appears Hodgson and the Three Lions have already entered the Lion’s den before they face the Group F runners-up, possibly Hungary, a team who are mainly honest triers at this level.

The Sun and The Guardian both carry reports claiming that senior FA figures are concerned about Hodgson’s decision to make six changes against Slovakia, a call that was deemed to have cost England the chance to finish top of Group C. If there are figures in the FA briefing reporters on Hodgson’s future, you can only wonder why they would fraternise with such a disgraceful act of self-harming?

How on earth does undermining the manager assist Hodgson when his side remain a clear and present danger to win a tournament that does not contain one outstanding side? The former England forward Alan Shearer may be right in saying nobody will fear England, but the same could be said about who England could face whatever half of the last 16 draw they landed in.

Like every England manager before him, one immediately thinks to the vitriolic attacks on Sir Bobby Robson, Graham Taylor and Steve McClaren from tournaments gone by, Hodgson needs to be his own man and his own manager when he is overseeing such a swashbuckling and energetic group of players. If not quite the Golden Generation, then certainly a new one for English football.

Accusations of Hodgson being staid and out of touch have turned out to be crepe with his willingness to not only opt for the tried and trusted, but the unproven. If Hodgson was not willing to gamble, England would not have prevailed 2-1 against Wales having slipped behind at half-time.

When you think about it, the one decision Hodgson probably called wrong was his intuition to go with Jack Wilshere against Slovakia rather than a rejuvenated Wayne Rooney from the start, but this is football management. This is the same Rooney who led many critics to wonder where he would fit into the England side when the squad was chosen. Yet he is a figure who has prospered in a slightly deeper role chosen by Hodgson.

It is impossible for a manager to call it right every time, but especially so when he is holding down the impossible job. One that everybody thinks they can do better.

England were unfortunate not to overrun Slovakia, revelling in 58 percent of possession and had 29 shots compared to four from hemmed in and embattled opponents.

With Wales finishing a point ahead of England, despite being outplayed by them in losing 2-1 last Thursday, Hodgson’s squad face a prospective path to the final of Euro 2016 apparently laced with dynamite. Yet do they really face such a nightmarish task?

In finishing second in a section they could and should have won judging by their dominance of the matches against Russia, Wales and Slovakia, England have made life harder for themselves, but it is hardly daunting.

England will meet the second-placed side in Group B which could be Hungary, Portugal, Iceland or Austria.

Portugal have previous with England in major competitions having won penalty shoot-outs against the Portuguese at Euro 2004 and the World Cup in 2006, but apart from a Cristiano Ronaldo who is struggling for consistency and fitness expected of Real Madrid's record scorer, they are a side who are hardly formidable.

The other three nations would all be viewed as solid options for an England side looking to reach the last eight where they are likely to face host nation France in Paris on July 3.

While Dimitri Payet has been an obvious emblem for the French, this is a team who are toiling to cope with local pressure and their own decision to opt against selecting Ronaldo's Los Blancos companion Karim Benzema.

England seem to be in a healthier condition than the French, who needed Payet’s heavenly touch to earn them a 2-1 win over Romania, two goals in the closing moments to complete a 2-0 win over Albania before a 0-0 draw with Switzerland highlighted why their position as tournament favourites does not come with any great certainty of refunds.

Didier Deschamps’ France are a malfunctioning side, who should not be feared by England. If England progress to this stage, they would have achieved what many would see as a successful campaign. Assuming class will out, they would meet a Germany side fresh from a win over Spain or Italy in the last eight.

But they would confront a Germany side they have recently usurped 3-2 in a friendly, and one who are not the force of two years ago when they lifted the World Cup. In qualifying they lost to Poland and Ireland, and drew with Ireland. In these finals, they have drawn with Poland, toiled in a 2-0 win over Ukraine and were profligate in much of a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland.

Is there seriously any England supporters who would not welcome the chance to face the Germans in the semi-finals on Thursday, July 7?

Twenty years after Andreas Moller paraded around the old Wembley after sinking the winning penalty against England in the semi-finals of Euro ’96, England would have the chance of a momentous revenge against their old foes. That it could all materialise in Marseille, scenes of so much rancour in this tournament mainly due to Russian hooligans, would make the smell of success even sweeter.

A final against Croatia would be one to relish. Despite the obvious attractions of a Croatia XI containing Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, this is a team who drew 2-2 with Czech Republic.

It is misleading to suggest England face an excruciating path to riches when they only need only face one of Germany, Spain or Italy. These are tournament teams and pedigrees, but are sides merely with stout reputations from yesteryear. Not so far this year.

Invoking the spirit of such tournaments from the land of the Redtop, it was Winston Churchill who said: “You must put your head into the lion’s mouth if the performance is to be a success.”

England’s quest for immortality is clear and visible. It is a path paved with the prospect of revenge, glory and immortality.

It is there in front of them in every sense.