England's 'Philosophy' Takes Shape Under New-Look, Flexible Roy Hodgson

WEMBLEY STADIUM — England moved one step closer to qualifying for Euro 2016 with a perfect record on Friday night by beating Lithuania, 4-0, at Wembley Stadium. Wayne Rooney, Raheem Sterling, Danny Welbeck and Harry Kane all scored on the night to obliterate the visitors.

Much of the focus will fall on Kane and his debut heroics, scoring less than two minutes after entering the fray at the expense of captain Rooney. But another big talking point here is the continuation of Roy Hodgson's England evolution, and although it was only Lithuania, there are signs that this side have found themselves as an entity, and that Hodgson has them playing with an identity at long last.

Many of the great managers—domestic or international—talk about their "philosophy," the template for playing football they wish to install in their side. We've heard Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal mention it numerous times, and we've praised Barcelona's commitment to it over the years, but now, finally, England appear to have a semblance of identity with which they play.

In the last four years, the Three Lions have welcomed Spain, Germany and Chile to Wembley for exhibition matches. All three nations subscribe to a way of playing, particularly Jorge Sampaoli's Chile, and they stood three sides worth aspiring to replicate or match.

La Roja, in particular, played sans Arturo Vidal and still won 2-0 back in November 2013, and it was a night in which they frankly didn't miss him. Why? Because every Chile player knew the system, knew the roles and knew how they were expected to play. England may just be approaching that level of understanding now.

The football England have played over the past 12 months or so has been inherently attacking. Hodgson has mixed up his formations to great effect and dipped into the national pool to find players he wants to fit specific roles. There's been 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and diamond midfields; he's tried everything but three at the back.

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It's a far cry from the rigid, defeatist football England played at Euro 2012, although in hindsight, it's become clear that was a temporary measure borne from the panicked installation of Hodgson as manager. Once the scourge of England fans in pubs across the country for his uninventive, cautious approach, Hodgson appears to be turning a corner in 2015.

And England are turning that corner with him. No Jack Wilshere, no Daniel Sturridge, no Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but it didn't matter. England have an identity, and it's not the uninspiring one we've been desperate to shake for so long.

Players are being seamlessly added into the mix and are firing on all cylinders immediately; there's no bedding in for new players. Hodgson has created roles in the squad and has multiple players who can play them. Wilshere injured? Plug in Fabian Delph. If not Delph, Jordan Henderson can swap sides and do it too.

It's important that the roles are carved out and the template is set. Like Chile, Hodgson can now stand to lose a few strong players and his side won't skip a beat. England are not built on the shoulders of three players, who, if injured, force the team into ruins. The system and style comes first, and the players are slotted in according to it.

"I was happy with tonight's performance and delighted for Harry Kane," admitted Hodgson to journalists post-match. "There's been a lot of pressure around him and a lot of media hype.

"[He was] fantastic in the 25 minutes he was on the field. His first touch, then a good run to back post and he scores a good goal. Let's hope it's the start of a long career. We're happy with the result, and it's another win along the way."

Kane will undoubtedly dominate the headlines, pulling focus away from perhaps the key point arising from tonight, and that's the one discussed here: In the big picture, England are settling into a groove.

Rooney, Welbeck and Sterling interchanged all evening out of a base 4-3-3, with Michael Carrick marshalling from the back. Delph and Henderson provided both legs and a silky touch in midfield to keep the ball moving, while the full-backs supported attacks without leaving the side exposed.

However, it's fair to say this was not a true litmus test. Lithuania, ranked 94th in the FIFA world rankings, are not the formidable foe you can beat and then claim, "Yep, we're ready for a tournament."

But the performance indicators are strong, and what can be measured from the 4-0 crushing is that Hodgson has his key parts and key roles established. The starting XI for Euro 2016 is still, at best, half-filled with certainties, but the template of how to play is the most important part. And if that's established, it's OK if the lineup isn't finalised just yet.

England have a controller, a right-back with the requisite skill set for top-level football, legs in midfield and a world-class forward or two—injury permitting. They have a philosophy, a developing identity and an exciting way of playing. Hodgson's finding his feet at the right time—just over one year ahead of the tournament he can be truly, wholly scrutinised over.

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