I am not one of those delusional England fans that think the Three Lions are an outstanding side in world football.
England a decent team who should really do better in major tournaments. We do have some good players and a few world-class players in the squad.
Qualification
Although England aren’t the greatest team in the world we should qualify for the European Championships in Ukraine and Poland next year. Fabio Capello’s team had a relatively straight forward group to qualify from.
The likes of Montenegro and Switzerland shouldn’t have caused England problems but both came to Wembley and claimed a point. The Swiss even held at two goal lead at the English national stadium. However if England gain a point against Montenegro in Podgorica on Friday we will qualify for Euro 2012.
Away
England should go to Montenegro in good heart and prove a point to the rest of Europe. They have endured some really poor results in recent times but most of them came at Wembley. Capello’s sides recent form away from home has helped them to the verge of qualification for Euro 2012.
Out
England travel to Podgorica without players who would be considered first team regulars. The likes of Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard are both left out of their squad. Ferdinand is out of the squad due to injury.
Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard was left out of the squad due to his lack of match fitness. England should still have more than enough quality to gain the point needed in Podgorica though. England boss Fabio Capello has good options available to him and hopefully he will employ the right tactics.
Qualified
A lot of Europe’s big hitters have already qualified for next years competition. The likes of Italy, Germany and Spain have qualified for Euro 2012 with ease. England fans like to think we are up there with Europe’s best but the truth is we are miles behind our European competitors.
That’s not just proved by the way the European Championship qualification tables but by the Three Lions performances in recent tournaments. It’s a long time since England really turned up to a tournament.
High
England boss Fabio Capello will leave his position after the European Championships. He will want to leave his job on a high and qualifying is the first step to that. Capello will probably want to win the European Championships but I think he will leave his position disappointed.
Disappointment
Prior to Fabio Capello becoming England boss he had a world-class reputation. His reign as England boss has proved a really big disappointment. His tactics and stubbornness have been questioned at times and the job has nearly destroyed his reputation.
However the England job has become something of a poison chalice. Previously well-respected head coaches have ruined their reputation by struggling as boss of England.
Development
Fabio Capello has been heavily criticised during his reign but he is now starting to bring younger players into the England squad. This is important for the future of the national team. The likes of Danny Welbeck, Phil Jones and Kyle Walker will probably be England regulars of the future.
And other youngsters would have been in the squad if it not for injury. United duo Chris Smalling and Tom Cleverley are currently injured but would probably have been involved in the squad to face Montenegro and both have big futures.
Brighter
I honestly believe that England will gain the point they need to qualify for next years competition. And hopefully by the time the European Championship’s come around next year England’s youngsters will be well embedded in the squad.
England looked jaded and stale at the World Cup 2010. Since then though the squad has been reshaped and the youngsters in the squad will hopefully provide that previously missing energy to the team. England have to qualify for next years European Championship its as simple as that and I’m sure they will.
Will England qualify for Euro 2012 on Friday night?
