Roy Hodgson now has time to get England right

What a difference a week has made for Roy Hodgson.

Seven days ago, he was reeling from criticism after the lacklustre draw against Norway.

He was also being accused of losing it because he swore at a press conference, and of presiding over an England team that can’t hack it in top international company.

Then he won in Basel, and suddenly he’s found the blueprint for the future and the FA are looking at training bases for France 2016!

Let’s have a bit of perspective here. Let’s acknowledge that the performance in Switzerland was very decent and, for once, when the chips were down, England didn’t bottle it.

Let’s also concede that Hodgson’s “diamond” did indeed look to be the way forward. And, yes, the FA are quite right to be planning ahead because England will be in France.

That’s not complacency. The way qualifying is structured, there was never any doubt. But let’s not go overboard. It’s just one step forward. The trick now is to take the next one then the next.

Hodgson’s priority must be to ensure the way of playing he tried for the first time in Basel now becomes ingrained in his players before they turn up at the tournament in France.

He has the perfect opportunity. There are no more high-risk fixtures. The danger of losing any of them is small and with the three hardest points already banked, the odd one dropped will not be disastrous.

So he must give Jack Wilshere every opportunity to show he can adapt his game to be the base of the diamond or find someone who can.

He must give Fabian Delph the chance to lose the rawness that brings yellow cards. He must find a way of maximising Danny Welbeck’s goal threat without losing Daniel Sturridge’s.

He must define Wayne Rooney’s role and integrate Ross Barkley back into the side.

Those are tricky tasks, but at least the pressure is off. The upcoming games against San Marino, Estonia and Slovenia can be used to tinker and hone.

It’s the friendlies that will be the key tests, not the qualifiers.

The opposition will be stronger starting with Scotland in November then a probable date with Italy in March. Germany, Spain and France are also being lined up.

Hodgson’s diamond should always work against average teams, but will it function against those with nous and power? The results don’t matter. The performances, however, will be crucial.