Euro 2012: England manager Roy Hodgson hails 'platform' of point against France in Group D opener I'm pleased the game's out of the way. I'm pleased the players have shown they can cope well at this level," Hodgson said. Despite his experience in leading Switzerland to the 1994 World Cup finals, and in managing other nations, he could also be forgiven if he was talking about himself in that context. For Hodgson this was an occasion that he had been working towards for most of his coaching career and yet he had little more than 40 days for which to prepare. He may stand accused of lacking flair but he certainly knows which fare he wants. Hodgson has made a quick, practical assessment. England have not got the personnel to go toe to toe with the best international teams (though he will not quite voice that) so he took the approach he felt right and, with it, the line of least resistance which is bound to be the case when there is so little time. There was even caution around England's goal with Hodgson deciding not to join in the celebrations alongside him on the touchline from his backroom staff and substitutes and, instead, preferring to attempt to refocus the players on the task in hand. Even in such a moment of euphoria he was waving England back into order with that mantra of working on team shape having been his expected hallmark throughout his so far brief reign in charge. Hodgson had also urged his players to try to enjoy this experience but he was understandably tense, standing by the dugout throughout, and remonstrating with the fourth official, Pavel Kralovec, at a series of perceived injustices. Late on he upbraided the official again after a decision by referee Nicola Rizzoli was awarded in England's favour, claiming it was the first he had given all evening. The approach was as expected, with the exception of the selection of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but there as a clue as to how England might vary it - slightly - with Jermain Defoe introduced late on and England morphing from 4-4-1-1 to a straightforward 4-4-2. Hodgson rightly praised the 18 year-old. "He's got the ability to beat people," Hodgson said. I said to him before the game that this was a big occasion, and there will be so many more big occasions in the rest of his career. So don't hang yourself or get hung up. Play to the best of your ability, and just remember you've got plenty of games for England ahead of you. Hodgson is not big on dramatic statements and it is an innate conservatism that might just serve England well out here. Whether it offers much beyond that, whether it offers the opportunity to eventually win something, remains to be seen. But let us not get carried away - which is another of England's new mantras. Roy's ups and downs By Jeremy Wilson Pre-match Introduced by an overenthusiastic stadium announcer to the England fans. Receives respectful applause. 5 minutes After belting out the national anthem along with all the players, assumes position bolt upright on inner edge of technical area with hands behind his back. 22 min Ventures to the outer edge of technical area for the first time to check on the welfare of Danny Welbeck. Receives a thumbs up from physio Gary Lewin. 30 min Only the briefest of celebrations as Joleon Lescott scores, despite hugs and high fives among the rest of the coaching staff. Uses break between goal and restart to relay more instructions to Scott Parker and James Milner. 32 min Most animated gesture of the match, shouting at assistant referee Renato Fevarani and claiming that he has twice wrongly awarded throw-ins against England. 39 min Turns his back on the pitch and walks to his seat in the technical area after Samir Nasri's equaliser. 50 min Instructs players to step out with England sitting too deep. 76 min Calmly offers detailed instructions to Jermain Defoe and Jordan Henderson before making his first changes. 90 min Looks content on the final whistle.