Roy Hodgson must gain trust and make England players believe Football Association's 'safe choice' is right choice Now he has his dream job: England manager. To succeed in his new role, Hodgson has to make England players believe in him and believe in themselves. Hodgson's problem, one he failed to overcome during a troubled spell at Liverpool, is how he can inspire high-profile players and demanding supporters. After his painful fall-out with the Kop, Hodgson reflected that if the FA ever came calling, he would have to consider long and hard over any job offer if he felt the fans were against him. Memories of the chastening Liverpool experience remain. Such scars do not fade easily. He does not relish derision. He will know that he must win the fans over, starting against Norway in Oslo. A decent result or performance there and in the subsequent Wembley friendly against Belgium and the supporters may give him a chance. A sluggish start and the fans and players will arrive at Euro 2012 in sceptical mode. Hodgson has to hit the ground running, instantly finding the ideal shape for England to take on France in the first challenge of Euro 2012. He must select the right captain who will not be John Terry. The FA is adamant about that. He must pick a squad that does not totally reflect his cautious nature. Hodgson must be bold, looking to the future with the exciting likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in midfield and Jack Butland as the third-choice goalkeeper. He must get his strike-force right against France and Sweden, particularly with Wayne Rooney suspended. It will not be his style but Hodgson must exude a greater aura. In press conferences, Hodgson must avoid becoming irritated with questions he does not like and resist becoming too long-winded in his answers. He has must also work on his team-talks. England players will switch off if Hodgson goes on too long. Breaking up training sessions to deliver lengthy dissections of pattern-of-play work will also find little favour with players. The main conundrum Hodgson must solve is how to prepare the England players mentally. This was the attraction of Harry Redknapp; the Spurs manager is not the greatest tactically but those who have played under him spoke of how well he motivated them. Hodgson does not enjoy that man-management reputation. Nor did Fabio Capello. This is the nub of the England problem. The players run out there with the white shirt weighing heavily on them. They worry about the critical headlines if they slip up, the sort of media storm that blew around Rob Green and his family after his mistake against the United States at the 2010 World Cup. One player confided to me that all he could think about in the tunnel before kick-off was what rating he might get in the next day's papers. He hadn't even kicked a ball and he was already concerned about the post-match fall-out. England is a whirlwind that can blow players" confidence away. They need a faith-healer, somebody to soothe their nerves. If Hodgson can gain their trust by organising training sessions that appeal, and a game-plan they can easily absorb, he has a chance. For all the backlash that swept out against Hodgson last night, declaring him a failure before he's even been appointed, the reality remains that England, the birthplace of the game, have not won anything at international level for 46 years. England really only boast three players of the highest class, Joe Hart, Ashley Cole and Rooney. As usual, they will start a tournament still feeling the aching limbs and empty fuel tanks of the arduous domestic season. Hodgson, somehow, needs to re-light their fire. He will surely have Stuart Pearce alongside him. He needs another, younger assistant, someone like Phil Neville, still playing for Everton but who has already starting working with England age-group sides. Neville would be a great conduit with the current generation of England players. Hodgson will need the help. He's just about to take on the Impossible Job.