It is difficult to get excited about a 6-0 win over the European minnows San Marino, who have a population of just 31,000 and occupates just 23 square miles of territory inside Italy. But this victory means that England have now won all seven of their qualifying games and have every chance of reaching the Euro Finals in France next summer with a 100% record.
Switzerland have been their toughest opponents but you can only beat the team put in front of you and do it efficiently. Theo Walcott really believes that the Three Lions have the confidence and the ability to go far in the competition. “I think this team is getting better and better, and that’s what we want to do going into the tournament next year,” he said.
“We’ve gone a long way towards that, so I am sure things are going to improve. “There are big tests for us, but I believe in that dressing room and just the way we are playing as well.
“We are playing in the best league in the world, we’re improving every day, the players are playing at the top of their game.
“It’ll definitely be a big achievement if we can go far. I am sure that we can. The manager has got that in our system, that he believes in us. “The belief is there, the confidence is there, so why not?”
To be fair, they probably have as much chance as any of the big teams but there is no real reason to be confident. There will still be some smaller teams in the Finals, like Iceland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Austria, so maybe England can progress early on.
The big problem England always have is that the Premier League season is so long and hard that most players are knackered by the summer!