Defence key for Roy

England look set to base their Euro 2012 strategy on defensive strength as they prepare to face Norway in what will be new manager Roy Hodgson's first game in charge since taking over from Fabio Capello.
Hodgson, well known for producing teams that are well organised and difficult to beat, has brought in former Manchester United full-back Gary Neville as an extra coach and had his team working on defensive patterns on Thursday ahead of Saturday's friendly fixture in Oslo.
The former Switzerland, Fulham, Inter Milan and West Brom manager has problems up front where Wayne Rooney, who is suspended for the opening two matches of the Euros, is also injured - as is his natural replacement Danny Welbeck.
But with all of England's first-choice defence having won trophies with their clubs this season there is more reason for optimism at the back.
Ashley Cole, John Terry and Gary Cahill won FA Cup and Champions League medals with Chelsea, while Joleon Lescott and goalkeeper Joe Hart won the Premier League with Manchester City.
So no wonder there is a growing feeling that clean sheets could be more important to England's hopes of progress in Poland and Ukraine than any decision over how to replace Rooney.
"Most of us have had successful seasons so the squad is confident and that can only bode well going into the tournament," said Lescott.
"We've won Premier Leagues and Champions Leagues - and don't forget the Carling Cup as well with Glen Johnson.
"I'd like to think that defence can be our strength. In Joe Hart we have one of the best goalkeepers in the world and if the forward players need to rely on us they can."
England demonstrated their defensive abilities even before Hodgson's arrival when they beat Spain 1-0 in a friendly at Wembley earlier this year, despite surrendering the vast majority of possession to the world and European champions and conceding a string of chances.
Chelsea used similar tactics to overcome Barcelona and Bayern Munich on the way to Champions League victory and Lescott has hinted there could be more of the same when England face France, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine this summer.
"Not everyone can go and play the Spain way and play them at their own game. You have to play each team individually, look at their strengths and try and beat them accordingly. Chelsea showed that in Barcelona," he said.