Monday 23 May 2016 11:32, UK
England got their pre-Euro 2016 preparations off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over Turkey. But what did Roy Hodgson learn from the friendly?
With the England manager needing to cut three from his group ahead of the finals, this was an opportunity for players to state their case for inclusion.
So who seized their chance? Who will hope for another opportunity to impress? And how will the performance affect Hodgson's tactical thoughts ahead of this summer's showpiece? We take a look…
Kane and Alli combination is essential
Dele Alli set up seven of Harry Kane's Premier League goals for Tottenham this season - the joint-most productive combination between any pair of players in the division. And it took the duo just two minutes to click against Turkey, with Alli slipping a pass through the legs of his marker for Kane to slot in the opener - albeit from an offside position.
Of course, both Alli and Kane have strong cases for inclusion in Roy Hodgson's starting line-up in their own right. Kane was the top scorer in the Premier League and has delivered repeatedly in the early days of his England career. Alli, too, has shone on international duty and picked up the PFA Young Player of the Year prize for his efforts with Tottenham this term.
But together they form an incisive partnership - and Hodgson must find a way to make the most of their mutual understanding. That could mean playing Alli in a more advanced midfield role, so he is closer to Kane, or by handing the pacey 20-year-old license to burst forward from a deeper position. Either way, Kane and Alli together provide a potent threat for this England side.
Vardy's best position is through the middle
This was just the second time Kane and Jamie Vardy had started in the same match for England and just seconds after the first whistle they almost combined to open the scoring. Kane, stepping in from the right with the ball, slipped a pass through the Turkey defence which was fractionally too heavy for Vardy's run.
However, Vardy spent much of the next 55 minutes wide on the left, holding his position as part of England's attacking trio at the top of a 4-3-3. After firing Leicester City to the Premier League title with 24 goals as a central striker this season, it seemed like a waste. Rather than causing problems for Turkey's centre-backs, Vardy was restricted to showing off his less-than-impressive crossing ability. Neither of his two attempted crosses went close to finding an England player.
Jamie Vardy has made a big difference to England. He worries the life out of teams.
A second-half tactical switch to a 4-4-2 diamond allowed Vardy to return to his central role and the Foxes forward relished the opportunity. He won a penalty - lashed wide off the post by Kane - after winning a race for a ball over the top with Mehmet Topal and twice threatened on the break late on by linking up with Kane.
Vardy also kept his scoring run with England going, netting his third in three games from close range after Turkey 'keeper Volkan Babacan spilled Gary Cahill's header. Former England caretaker boss Peter Taylor says he is an important figure tactically for Hodgson.
"Vardy has made a big difference to England because he always looks [to run] beyond [the opposition defence] and because he looks beyond it worries the life out of teams," Taylor told Sky Sports News HQ. "They drop off and all of a sudden we've got a long pitch. If Roy plays the diamond shape you then have more bodies in that area and more space to work in to."
Defensive concerns must be addressed
Despite victory, there were a number of worrying moments for England as Turkey pressed for a late leveller - and, throughout, there were defensive issues Hodgson will no doubt be keen to examine.
England are now three games without a clean sheet for the first time since a run of four in August 2013 and Hakan Calhanoglu's opener - Turkey's first-ever goal against England - came after a catalogue of errors which saw the hosts fail to clear their lines, pick up opponents, cut out dangerous passes and hold position.
Turkey striker Cenk Tosun was almost a beneficiary of more slack defending at the start of the second half when he had a free header from a corner before John Stones allowed him to turn and shoot on the edge of the box.
And only a superb save from Hart in injury time prevented substitute Olcay Sahan from volleying in, after England repeatedly failed to clear the ball.
Both Danny Rose and Kyle Walker impressed in the full-back positions but England as a team cannot afford to present opportunities as lightly at Euro 2016.
Wilshere needs 90 minutes
Jack Wilshere's inclusion in this England squad - despite only featuring in Arsenal's final three games of the season - demonstrates Hodgson's faith in the midfielder and the manager's desire to give him every chance possible of making the trip to France. Now it is down to Wilshere to prove he is match fit and ready to deliver for his country.
The 24-year-old insisted he was 100 per cent fit after the game but was, nonetheless, withdrawn after 65 minutes. During his time on the field, Wilshere recorded a pass completion rate of 90.9 per cent, came up with a couple of key passes and one interception - as well as a yellow card for breaking down a Turkey counter-attack.
You want that type of different midfield player like Jack Wilshere for your options, whether you start him or bring him on as sub.
All in all it was a steady if unspectacular appearance. Peter Taylor insists Wilshere remains an important option for Hodgson, though, and expects him to be included when the squad is cut to 23 on May 31. "Wilshere is so different, such a clever player, he could play for Barcelona," Taylor told Sky Sports News HQ.
"He's such a talented player. You want that type of different midfield player for your options, whether you start him or bring him on as sub. He did well. I'd be wrapping him up in cotton wool."
Sterling still struggles with his final ball
No outfield player made more appearances in England's Euro 2016 qualifying campaign than Raheem Sterling but, after a tough first season at Manchester City since his big-money move from Liverpool, the winger would have hoped to have made more of a mark against Turkey.
There were glimpses of his strongest attributes - early on he linked up well with Alli between the lines of the visitors' defence and midfield, while in the second half he skipped past a couple of challenges with a burst of pace. But Sterling's struggles with his end product were also on show.
The winger recorded just two assists and six goals at Premier League top-scorers City this season and two wasted, off-target crosses against Turkey were moments of frustration. Another inaccurate pass from the left flank to the edge of the penalty box sparked a threatening Turkey counter-attack.
After being withdrawn on 73 minutes, Sterling will hope to get another opportunity against Australia on Friday night to remind the England supporters - and, more importantly, Hodgson and his coaching staff - of the talent he has.
