Jack Wilshere Shines as England Huff and Puff Against Estonia
England manager Roy Hodgson will have plenty to contemplate after watching his team defeat 10-man Estonia 1-0 in Tallinn on Sunday.
Wayne Rooney wasted a number of opportunities before scoring a free-kick late on to spare England's blushes, while talking points elsewhere surrounded the performances of Danny Welbeck, Fabian Delph and notably Jack Wilshere.
Welbeck struggled against a deep-lying Estonia defence, unable to get in behind to find and exploit space. Delph didn't disappoint, yet the Aston Villa man lacked the dynamism required to unlock a stubborn rearguard.
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Wilshere, on the other hand, looked like England's best player.
The Arsenal midfielder was at the heart of everything Hodgson's side created, and had it not been for some slack finishing, he would have been leaving the pitch with a healthy number off assists come full time.
With respect to Estonia, England and Wilshere are going to face tougher challenges than they did when coming up against Magnus Pehrsson's side.
It seemed a case of damage limitation from the home team, who showed little adventure and looked like pulling off their game plan of securing a draw until Rooney's 73rd-minute free-kick.
Hodgson would have preferred the scoreline was far more convincing, yet we shouldn't forget where this team is in terms of development.
Less than five months ago, England were dumped out of the World Cup after two matches, and the headlines were all about the death of English football.
Since that time, Hodgson has continued his rebuilding project with a focus on youth, and the likes of Wilshere are beginning to emerge better for it.
Should we be expecting more? Of course, but let's not carried away with ourselves just yet.
Pursuing with a midfield diamond of Jordan Henderson, Delph, Adam Lallana and Wilshere against Estonia, Hodgson is still crafting his squad into a team.
Systems are being identified and worked on, the old generation being replaced.
The average age of the starting line-up was 25.6 and the total number of combined caps just 306—a figure made respectable only by Rooney's 97 prior to kick-off.
This is a young team.
Against such inferior opposition, there is a case to suggest the England manager should have gone with more adventure, starting with either Raheem Sterling or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain over Delph.
They possess the ability to run at teams, unsettle defences and create space. They're talented players with pace and skill—something England seemed to lack at times.
Indeed, it was when Sterling and Oxlade-Chamberlain came off the bench that we saw the best combinations in midfield, and England looked more likely of carving out an opening.
And it was Sterling who won the free-kick expertly dispatched by Rooney.
From an encouraging first half—when Rooney was guilty of missing a hat full of chances—England were somewhat lethargic after the interval.
Estonia captain Ragnar Klavan's dismissal in the 48th minute proved more negative than anything, forcing the home side to drop ever deeper.
Wilshere kept things moving in midfield, dropping deep to receive possession from Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka, but more often than not was met by a wall of Estonia players.
Credit should go to Wilshere, though. Rooney popped up with the captain's goal, but when England needed a performance from a key player, it was Wilshere who gave it.
He was excellent and mature.
When England were threatening to stand still, it was his drive and desire from midfield that kept them going, bringing his teammates into play.
Injuries have played a part in stifling his development since he burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old, and just when it seems he is finding his best form, he is often crocked and has to start from scratch.
It happened last season, when an injury suffered against Denmark all but ended his campaign and forced him into a bit-part role for England at the World Cup.
Already this year, though, Wilshere has featured 16 times for club and country. He's fit, playing regularly and, based on his showing against Estonia, is beginning to hit the form many have hoped he would.
Without Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in the picture, England need their younger players to step up and to begin taking responsibility.
We're beginning to see that from Wilshere, and regardless of the opposition, a 1-0 win away in qualifying can never be sniffed at.
More would have been better, although England are gathering momentum with four wins on the bounce since the World Cup.
Such is the level of opposition in England's Euro 2016 qualification group, Glenn Hoddle made a vital point at full time against Estonia.
Working as a pundit for ITV, the former England boss discussed how Hodgson will not know the true level his team is at until they face bigger challenges further down the road.
That time will come, but right now England are overcoming what's being put before them, and with performances like Wilshere's on Sunday, it's only going to help confidence the Three Lions are moving in the right direction.
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