Hodgson satisfied but promises “we’ll get better”

England boss Roy Hodgson insisted his side remained a work in progress after their battling Euro 2012 draw with France in Donetsk last night.

“I’ve had three games,” said Hodgson. “I am satisfied with those three games but you don’t become a really good team in three matches and 10 training sessions.

“The French have gone 22 games unbeaten. They’ve not done that overnight. It’s been (the result of) people playing together, getting to know each other’s games.

“The longer we play together, the better we’ll become too.”

Hodgson cannot be criticised for the boldness of his team selection.

Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck impressed on his first competitive start and Hodgson’s decision to hand 18-year-old Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain the biggest match of his young life was fully justified.

“He deserved it,” said Hodgson.

“The way he’s played since coming into the squad, the performance he gave against Belgium, the ability he has to skip past defenders, which is an important ability to have, is excellent.

“I just wanted him to play to the best of his ability, and remember he had plenty of games for England ahead of him.”

Thankfully Hodgson was able to report no fresh injury concerns, other than a snapped Achilles tendon for goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence.

However, as so many of his squad lack recent match practice, he does believe their overall fitness will improve as a result of playing in such searing heat.

“There is no doubt the heat has an effect,” he said, “and the earlier you play, the more effect it has. Our team felt the heat, but the French felt it as well.”

Goal hero Lescott praised the resilience of Hodgson’s side along with their determination and organisational qualities.

Lescott said: “It was a really good collective performance. It was a really hard game to start off with.

“We had to be organised and you know what you get with an English team. There will be plenty of pride and passion but I think we also looked good going forward and we can build on this.

“No matter how we played, it was important we did not lose the game and it gives us a good position to get into the next game.”

Lescott netted his first international goal from a pinpoint free-kick by skipper Steven Gerrard.

He said: “It is always nice to score and this was extra special. It is the sort of goal you dream about.

“But the delivery was of such good quality that it made it easy to hit the target.”