The Football Association has made a habit in recent times of appointing a manager in contrast to the previous incumbent, attempting to blow away the stench of failure as it seeks a bright new horizon.

And yet in securing the services of Roy Hodgson, the national governing body has opted for an elder statesman, similar in some ways to previous England boss Fabio Capello.

While Hodgson has not won as much silverware as the Italian, his coaching experience is without question and - unlike Capello - he takes charge of England with experience at international level, including a World Cup in 1994.

He will also be able to get his ideas across in a more communicative manner than the former AC Milan and Real Madrid manager, who struggled to learn the English language. That will be a crucial factor according to former Blackburn and Scotland striker Kevin Gallacher, who played under Hodgson at Ewood Park.

"Roy is a pure coach," Gallacher said. "You only get a week to train with the national team, so it is all about organisation, getting players thinking about the system you want to play.

"I personally think it will discipline the players a bit more and make them a bit more mentally stronger. You only have four or five days to work with players to get your points across, but the players will understand him. He makes things very simple, but he does make you think."

A reliance on a specific system may fill the shortage in confidence suffered by the players that puzzled Capello during his reign.

But the biggest question, with Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp in mind and a track record which includes fallow periods at Inter Milan and Liverpool, is whether Hodgson is a galvaniser of good players rather than a motivator of top-level ones?

His successes at club level in Sweden, the Swiss and Finland national teams, and more recently with Fulham and West Brom, point to a manager who can create a framework where players know their jobs and can complete them with distinction.

When more liberty or creativity is needed by players who perform best free from the shackles, however, will the 64-year-old allow them that privilege?

Gallacher says in his experience, Hodgson never curbed attacking players' instincts. But former Swiss and Liverpool defender Stephane Henchoz, who also played under Hodgson with Switzerland, says there is a question mark over his handling of big-name players.

"He was manager at Inter Milan and at Liverpool, two big clubs, and he didn't have massive success," the 37-year-old said. "But one thing I'm sure about is he knows the English mentality, which is very important. As a foreign manager they don't really know how to deal with English players, you have to know the English mentality and so for Roy it's a big plus."

Much of the answer will also boil down to what England need and who is available as they approach Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine this summer.

Capello qualified for the 2010 World Cup and the European Championship with a group of players, who were largely disciplined and, once he figured out a system which was less rigid, swift on the counter attack. Now it is hoped that Hodgson can do a similar job in moulding a collection of promising talents with some of the more senior figures in the squad.

The Italian took a whole qualifying campaign and a tournament to realise that England played better with two holding midfielders, allowing a front four to flourish, and it must be hoped that Hodgson continues in a similar manner rather than falling back on a trusted 4-4-2, which has become largely outdated and outplayed in international football.

Former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland defender Mark Lawrenson regards Hodgson as more of a "counter-attacking coach than defensive" and believes he has enough experience to recognise where England's strengths are

"If you look at West Brom, he played two up front which not many teams do with Peter Odemwingie and Shane Long. He's also played 4-5-1 or 4-3-3," Match of the Day pundit Lawrenson said.

"He's been around Europe and he's managed in all different countries, and these really experienced boys in their 60s have played every formation known to man. It doesn't really matter what he used at Liverpool or Fulham or Inter Milan or West Brom.

"I know he's missing the first two games but I don't think that Roy has had the opportunity to manage somebody like Wayne Rooney for a long time. When these guys get to manage the top teams, then you adjust the way you play accordingly.

"Hodgson is a very intelligent football man and he would recognise that the Manchester United striker is such a top player that he will set the team up to get the best out of him."

Without the suspended Rooney for the first two games and a hanging doubt over the injured Darren Bent, there is a hole in England's frontline that needs filling. That could open the door for one of Hodgson's favourites at Fulham, Bobby Zamora. Others, like Stoke boss Tony Pulis, have vouched for the inclusion of Peter Crouch, who has 22 goals in 42 games for his country.

There may also be a clue to Hodgson's take on the long-term should he select some of the more exciting young players such as Danny Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

With the likes of that trio, Rooney, Ashley Young and Theo Walcott there is plenty to choose from to add flair to any defensive organisation.

And in giving those players a clear structure to work from, Hodgson may just offer them the guidance they need in what will be a tough group against France, Sweden and Ukraine.

The new England manager has forged a reputation in getting the best out of good rather than top teams and in domestic terms, it could be argued that England are more Fulham than Tottenham anyway.

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