England’s Win over Turkey Reinforces Broad Perceptions of Roy Hodgson’s Squad

In any season or tournament cycle, certain matches can serve as a notable reference point for a team. Whether positively or negatively, they reframe the thinking of its direction, usually in a more pronounced manner than produced by more natural progression.

England achieved a 100 per cent winning record in their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, bouncing back encouragingly after their disappointing early World Cup exit. But the recent game that feels most significant to the route they hope to be taking is their impressive, confidence-boosting 3-2 friendly win over Germany in March.

It was the moment improvements and developments in qualifying (good shape, attacking flair and less undeserved favouritism in selection), led by manager Roy Hodgson, firmly coalesced with the changing wind of the Premier League. Sunday’s 2-1 win over Turkey—the first of three European Championship warm-up matches—reinforced the broad perceptions of the squad established out in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.

Simplifying them, they can be marked by the line between attack and defence: how England perform in the opposition half, and how they do in their own.

Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy both scored in their country’s fightback against the world champions and did so again at the Etihad Stadium.

Kane was his usual proactive self at the head of the 4-3-3, and later when adapting to a more recognisable front two. He got involved wherever possible (including taking the majority of set pieces) but still offered an option on the shoulder of the Turkish defenders. His goal came from here, taking a through ball from Dele Alli and side-footing past Volkan Babacan (see below).

???? @HKane opens the scoring for the #ThreeLions in Manchester. #TogetherForEngland https://t.co/08dzz7neit

— England (@England) May 22, 2016

Vardy was a more peripheral figure up until the latter adjustment.

The designed intent of using his pace and industry to shuttle up and down the left flank worked in flashes, evoking the mix of menace and energy …

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