Five things we've learned from England in the past week

NEWS NEWS BLOG SPORT brings you five things we have learned from England in the past week.

 

Rooney is the "ultimate professional"

Events in Alicante last Friday have been quickly overlooked, but what will have stuck in Roy Hodgson's mind is how England missed Wayne Rooney against Spain. For all the chatter about his rivals, Rooney remains integral.

His 51st England goal was largely overlooked given the emotion of the game against France and the cameo from young Dele Alli, but he is arguably the only player with experience of the highest level and that is invaluable.

 

England boss Roy Hogdson has hailed Wayne Rooney as the 'ultimate professional'

Hodgson had wanted to play a diamond formation with Rooney and Harry Kane in tandem, Raheem Sterling deployed behind, until Fabian Delph's unavailability forced a rethink to 4-3-3. The captain did not quibble.

"He is the ultimate professional," said Hodgson.

"He said that is no problem at all and he carried that out very well. You can never doubt his professionalism, his desire to do the right thing for England, and his ability and capacity to sacrifice himself, if necessary, for the good of the team. As a coach those are the players you want."

 

Difficult choices await

England have used 33 different players in 2015 and that does not include Daniel Sturridge, whom Hodgson would regard as England's most natural finisher. If - and it is a big if - the absentees regain their fitness, Hodgson will face some tough decisions in whittling that down to a 23-man squad.

There is the experience of James Milner and Michael Carrick against the blossoming of Dele Alli and Ross Barkley. Hodgson has shown he is not afraid of siding with youth.

 

John Stones is the present and the future

Even if France, understandably, had their minds elsewhere, the Everton youngster continues to ooze composure with his ability to bring the ball out of defence offering a different dimension.

England have used seven different centre-back permutations in 10 matches in 2015, but so far the axis of Chris Smalling and Stones has not been one of them.It is time for that to change against Germany in Berlin on March 26 and Holland at Wembley three days later.

 

Wembley Stadium' famous arch was lit up in the French colours to honour those killed in Paris

France will be a different proposition at Euro 2016

It was clear from captain Hugo Lloris's pre-match press conference that members of the squad had reservations about playing at Wembley. Their performance was subsequently muted.

"Honestly, yes it was hard to prepare," said Bacary Sagna, the Manchester City defender.

"This was about more than just a football match. We were just a little part in a bigger show of strength. But we had trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating. We struggled to focus. But, by playing, we were sending out a bigger message." The memory of the Paris terrorist atrocities will still be raw when Euro 2016 kicks off on French soil next June, but expect the hosts to be even more determined to prevail.

England supporters did themselves proud

The fans have been maligned in the past, but the show of solidarity as La Marseillaise reverberated around Wembley showed them at their best. The unity displayed on Wembley Way before and after the game was a sight to behold