Dynamism: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain impressed on his England's debut

It would. Particularly when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also showed flashes of potential in the position after he came on as a second-half substitute.

England do need to be more dynamic, and it will be interesting to see if Downing and James Milner remain in the side come Saturday’s final warm-up against Belgium at Wembley. There was a definite lack of dynamism in those wider areas against a poor Norway team.

But Hodgson was content with a win, and understandably so. As he said himself, it helps build confidence among the players in him, and it should make for a more buoyant atmosphere when the squad reconvenes — complete with Rooney and Chelsea’s Champions League players — in Hertfordshire on Tuesday.

That is when the serious work begins, when Hodgson is no longer forced to use players he will not even be taking to Euro 2012. Phil Jagielka might have played his way into the squad if Barry’s injury rules him out, but the appearance of four standby players slightly devalued the exercise in Oslo.

Not that Hodgson seemed worried. He had already moved on.

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