England vs Estonia: Five things we learnt - Hodgson right to stick with Barkley, Walcott and Clyne need time

Vibrant and yong side have re-connected with fans, so-called minnows tougher than ever to break down and why Jack Butland needs game time

Ross Barkley in action for England against Estonia (Getty Images)

Hodgson is right to stick with maturing Barkley

Ross Barkley is prone to giving the ball away needlessly, to being caught in possession and to switching off when the opposition win the ball. In the modern game, with elite teams so deadly on transitions, they are major faults, but they can all be remedied with maturity, which generally brings better concentration, and good coaching. What is virtually impossible to teach is the composure and ability to see a defence-splitting pass and wait for the perfect moment to play it. Barkley has that priceless quality. Roy Hodgson is skilfully integrating Barkley into this England side, aware that at present he can lose a match as well as win it but the pendulum is increasingly tilting towards the latter. In 2016 he may still be best used as an impact substitute, but by 2018 Barkley could be England’s creative heart.

Walcott and Clyne need time to build understanding

Midway through the second half Nathaniel Clyne had possession by the halfway-line and looked for Theo Walcott to break down the line - Walcott, though, had come infield. This is why these games, though superficially an inappropriate rehearsal for the more demanding challenges to come in France next year, are valuable. Clyne and Walcott have never played together at club level and only once for England, when Walcott played centrally.

They need to learn each other’s game if they are to form a dangerous partnership for England. Clyne, who rarely plays with a winger at Liverpool, might have expected Walcott to hug the touchline but the Arsenal player has been encouraged to come inside to create space for Hector Bellerin at his club. Since Walcott’s re-incarnation as a central striker - and his finishing last night illustrated his growing confidence in front of goal - he is even less likely to want to stay wide.

Vibrant and young side have re-connected with fans

There is talk of England going on the road next year. A great success while Wembley was being constructed this helps to promote the idea that England belongs to the whole country, not just the south-east. However, the Football Association are going to take a lot of convincing of the financial virtues when England can attract 80,000 to Wembley. True, tickets were discounted (a family of four could attend for £60), but the 75,427 gate is tribute to the way Roy Hodgson’s vibrant young team has re-engaged with its public after the World Cup failure of 2014 - and done so without the hysteria of previous sides.

So-called minnows tougher than ever to break down

There are easy games in international football, witness the results of San Marino and Gibraltar, but not many. Estonia, playing a 4-4-2-0 system, showed how hard it is to break down a well-drilled team of determined professional footballers, even one that largely plays in backwater leagues. England were not the only team 1-0 up against a minnow at half-time - Spain, Sweden and Switzerland led by the same score against Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and San Marino respectively. Russia were goalless in Moldova. Only when such teams tire, mentally as well as physically, do the goals pile up.

Butland must replace Hart to gain more experience

On the bench last night for England, while Joe Hart was winning his 55th international cap in goal on the pitch, were Jack Butland and Tom Heaton. Butland has played 45 minutes for England, in Italy more than three years ago, Heaton is uncapped. While one suspects Hodgson is hoping Ben Foster and, perhaps, Fraser Forster get fit in time for next summer’s European Championship they only have 11 caps between them. It does seem odd that Hodgson is so reluctant to give his back-up keepers experience in the middle, especially when he is so keen when it comes to outfield players with Jamie Vardy and Dele Ali benefiting last night. It is also risky. England has an inglorious history of reserve goalkeepers being thrust into big matches and struggling, from Peter Bonetti in Leon 1970, to Nigel Martyn in Charleroi in 2000 and David James (more experienced, but coming unprepared off the bench) in Copenhagen in 2005. Darren Randolph had a memorable night on Thursday when he replaced Shay Given in Dublin, not only keeping Germany at bay but also producing the assist for Shane Long’s goal, but that is the exception. Surely Butland will start in Lithuania on Monday.