"With football players a lot depends on perception or expectations," Hodgson has said.
"Maybe before he got called up the magnifying glass was not so often used when it came to Jimmy's performances.
"Now he's really being looked at through the telescopic lens and people are analysing everything he does.
"Every time he loses a ball or a challenge it's being totted up. Perhaps in the past that wasn't the case. I think that's what happens when you play well enough to get an England call-up, as suddenly you're in the spotlight.
"Jimmy's game is about passing and energetic movement through the midfield. People are criticising him for missing a few passes and losing a few balls when he shouldn't have done, but he's fully aware of that.
"We are perfectly happy with the work he's putting in and the desire he has.
"We all rely on small margins and to be a success or failure you'll have those sorts of days and maybe on the days he hasn't been functioning to 100 per cent or as we'd like him to, there are other players who have."