So we made it. It was a tough route, but everything went just about as perfectly as it could have done. We walked past Montenegro in the end, and although we had some nervy moments against the Polish, courtesy of one Robert Lewandowski, we still outplayed them and comfortably beat them. We made things hard on ourselves with too many draws early on in the group, but I don't think there's anyone out there who can dispute that England deserve their place in Brazil. We didn't lose a single game and we only dropped two points at Wembley. In that context, draws in Ukraine and Poland aren't exactly bad results and if we'd been able to do the job in Montenegro, it would be looking like a fairly flawless display.
That said, England were far from perfect throughout this qualifying campaign and there are many lessons to be learned if we're going to be able to challenge in Brazil. And let me clear that up right now, I think we can challenge in Brazil. I think we have to stay calm and not get overly excited or pessimistic because, reasonably, the quarter finals should be our aim, depending on how the group and last 16 draws play out. There are a lot of people who think England aren't even in the top 8 teams in the world and I think that we are certainly in and around the top 10, so finishing in the last 8 isn't an unrealistic goal. I think certainly Brazil on their home turf and Argentina are both significantly better sides than us and should both make it to the semi-finals, along with Spain (who for some reason people continue to write off, despite the fact I think they should still be favourites to win it) and the Germans. I think those are the only four sides who are miles ahead of us and who arguably, we'd need a lot of luck and to play above our best to win.
But apart from those 4 sides, I don't think there's anyone to be scared of. Uruguay, who are certainly a threat, still haven't secured qualification and have to go through the play-offs, (though they'll almost certainly beat Jordan), likewise the French and Portuguese who are both dangerous opponents but still easily beatable. I can't see anyone from outside Europe or South America threatening us too much if we play near our best which only leaves a handful of teams. The likes of Holland, Italy and Belgium are the only other sides I think are better than us and all of them are beatable certainly, the Dutch had a torrid time of Euro 2012 and the Belgians have little big tournament experience under their belts. The Italians did us in in Euro 2012, but it's worth remembering that was only on pens.
My point is that although it's highly unlikely we're going to get past the last 8, we should aim for that and take it a game at a time, because nobody is unbeatable. England have secured some great results in friendlies recently but more importantly, we have a young squad and a lot of talent coming through. The likes of Andros Townsend and Daniel Sturridge are relative unknowns at the top level and could turn into world beaters by Brazil. We have the capability in our side to beat almost anyone and certainly cause an upset and let's be honest, there aren't many teams who would be happy to draw us.
Onto the matches themselves. I played a drinking game with a friend during the Montenegro game. The first half, we drank very little but by the end, we were smashed, which says everything you need to know about the quality of the game. It is truly, a game of two halves. We created a lot of chances overall and it was fairly comprehensive in the end, with Townsend, Rooney and Sturridge all finishing the match on the scoresheet, with a bizarre own goal thrown in there.
The Poland game, is fresher in my mind and I was in a much better state to remember it in any case. Cahill and Jagielka are forming a partnership but there's certainly a spot up for grabs at centre half if the likes of Dawson, Jones and Lescott have a good season and I don't understand why Chris Smalling was playing at right back. Baines, however, was excellent coming forward, though I maintain we were still too open down the right on the break. Bringing in Carrick into the midfield was a great decision and even though his captain and partner wasn't at his best, he scored a brilliant goal late on.
Further up the pitch, Andros Townsend continued to look exciting, with the ability to beat a player like I've not seen in a while, a great turn of pace and a thumping shot on him. Plus he looks fairly two-footed. He was a nuisance all game and the Polish were scared of him. As for the other side...well I've given up trying to think of ways to say Danny Welbeck is a useless sack of shit, which I screamed numerous times during the game as he conspired to waste most of England's best opportunities. In fairness though, Sturridge wasn't on his game either and looks like he needs time to adjust to the international stage. Rooney however, was magnificent and fully deserved his goal.
England have a diverse range of attacking threats at their disposal and they have a lot of top quality young players, the likes of Sterling, Morrison, Barkley and Townsend, not to mention Caulker and Sturridge. The point is, they have the capability to be set in the long haul and with a few additions to the squad, we could feature very prominently in Brazil. Or end up in Spain's group, pull an England and flop like a damp squid, as we usually do. Either way, you know as an England fan, it'll be a brutal exercise leading to heart failure. Until then, the Premiership is back in three days and we're going to St James' Park. Come on you Reds.
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