Roy Hodgson - My Fake Diary

Saturday, 8 September 2012

Moldova assistant manager Ion Testemitanu this week admitted the playing surface at the 10,400-capacity Zimbru stadium was not in the best condition, but I have called on my players to perform whatever the circumstances.

We haven't seen the pitch yet and quite frankly we haven't spoken about it.

It was vital we get three points from this game.

I followed through on pairing Lampard and Steven Gerrard in the centre of midfield, with Tom Cleverley pushed further upfield to play off lone striker Defoe. Leighton Baines made his first competitive start in place of the injured Ashley Cole.

0-5 A result I'm well pleased with.