Sturridge bent a shot around the keeper to score against Peru and England showed good efficiency to score another 2 goals from corners. Against Ecuador Rooney scrambled one home and Lambert buried a power strike from 12 yards. No-one scored against Honduras but a couple of sitters were missed.

The biggest real disaster has been Hodgsons outfit – shorts and polo shirt is a difficult look on a man in his sixties. Sure it is hot and humid but the England coach looks like Grandad on a day out on the beach. Charming and all that but Barklay was playing with real confidence and style until he received prolonged detailed instructions during a break in play. After all that help the young player contributed far less.

On Sunday the inhabitants of London bathed in hot and humid weather, flocking to the parks. It will a lot hotter in Manaus on Saturday night. The match plays at 11pm British Summer Time. England will be on the World Cup stage playing a major world footballing nation. The intensity of competition between great players will begin

Now management of the game itself will be key and will the guy in the unsuccessful outfit be able to make the right calls. Maybe so, or maybe not, but most times there are no answers off the pitch. On the pitch one strike, one split second can change everything. This is near career end for some like Lampard, and now Stephen Gerrard seems comfortable with the weight of the captaincy.

It is easy to pick at the side and spot flaws. Defensively our flanks look lightweight and an injury or suspension to Baines leaves the worlds best players focusing on Shaw. Ashley Cole is always secure, Jagielka and Cahill are not tournament hardened but top premier league players. Going forward there have been glimpses of fluent marauding play.

A few cars are now sporting England flags and the sense of expectation is beginning to gather. The group has three tier one nations, England, Italy and Uruguay. Costa Rica will offer 11 tough South American professionals who can get a result. Only two teams progress and Englands first step is on Saturday night.

A poll of media pundits on the BBC saw 9 backing Brasil to win it, and 4 backing Argentine to succeed. Thankfully not one of the idiots backed England. That privilege belongs to the fans out in Brasil and to the supporters from cities, towns and villages across all Albion. The world cup is coming – this is England.  There is no reason why not – we can win it.