Hodgson throws Luke Shaw under the bus.
Well, I say "throws", he *tries*, but fails because Shaw is just so fucking fat.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...es-luke-shaw-over-fitness-issues-9697922.html
England manager Roy Hodgson lectures Luke Shaw over fitness issues
The England manager, Roy Hodgson, said today that he understood Louis van Gaal’s concerns over the fitness of Luke Shaw, and had spoken to the player himself during the
World Cup finals about staying in shape to play at the highest level.
Van Gaal surprised
Manchester United by announcing on their pre-season tour this summer that Shaw, the most expensive teenage footballer in history, was not fit enough to do what was being asked of him. The 19-year-old has since picked up a hamstring injury and is expected to be back in action after the forthcoming international break.
Announcing his squad for the friendly against Norway on Wednesday, and the Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland the following Monday, Hodgson said that Shaw had been told he needed to address his physical condition by England coaching staff. Signed by United for £27m in June, the teenager is yet to make his competitive debut for the club.
Asked about Shaw’s physical resilience, Hodgson said: “I think a lot of Luke’s situation is purely down to the fact that he is still young, his body is changing but I think he’s aware that the work rate which is required does mean that he’s got to work very, very hard on that aspect of his game.
“I must say, watching him play in the matches for Southampton which caused me to select him, watching him in the game against Costa Rica when he played, he didn’t seem to have too many problems coping with the physical side of the game.
READ MORE: SHAW'S EXTRA TRAINING TO BLAME FOR INJURY
VAN GAAL COMMENTS ON SHAW FITNESS
“That doesn’t mean to say he can’t be fitter and if Louis thinks that he can get him fitter then I’m sure he will certainly have our approval. But I think when he [Van Gaal] talks to [Mauricio] Pochettino then Pochettino will say to him: ‘What you were saying to Luke Shaw and what you’ve been saying to him, is what I was actually saying to him’.
“He [Shaw] might have had it mentioned to him a couple of times during the World Cup when we were together by people like myself and [physiotherapist] Gary Lewin. So I think he’s been aware of it, Luke, and he will get fitter and stronger, not least of all because he’s still a very young man and his body has not yet reached its proper proportions for the level he wants to play at.”