Preparations are far from complete, but Wednesday's match will have given Hodgson another chance to evaluate all the players before bringing his final squad to Brazil following the domestic season. England have been drawn in a tricky Group F with four-time champions Italy, two-time champions Uruguay and outsiders Costa Rica.
With Luke Shaw replacing Ashley Cole at half time, making his full senior international debut and Adam Lallana coming on with half an hour to go, the Southampton duo did their World Cup hopes no harm by putting in very good individual performances. Shaw has been tipped for a World Cup place but faces strong competition at left back with Ashley Cole and Leighton Baines also in the limelight for places whilst Adam Lallana offers Roy Hodgson something different in an attacking midfield role.
It looks like Lallana's place on the plane to Brazil is a certainty after setting up Sturridge's winner last night. The Southampton playmaker offers England something different with his flair and ability to pick out a pass or cross. The traits that Lallana holds are similar to that of what we coach in all our sessions at Matt Le Tissier Natural Coaching, composure on the ball, awareness and having a 'no fear' approach when in possession of the ball. Southampton's Jay Rodriguez and Rickie Lambert were unused substitutes last night and are both still in contention for World Cup places amongst Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad.
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