Roy’s boys in Brazil: England expects, sort of

Common in the era of the outgoing ‘Golden Generation’, the usual hype surrounding an England team heading to a major tournament has been kept to whispers of ‘use the kids’ or ‘play the Liverpool way’ this time around.

But anticipation and expectation is beginning to grow with every TV advert, decorated pub window and supermarket World Cup special instilling a newfound belief in the nation.

‘You’ve got hold and give’ says John Barnes, ‘it’s coming home’ chant Baddiel and Skinner, because back home we will be thinking of you boys and Terry Venables can in fact begin to dream with this Three Lions team boasting bags of potential.

Drawing a tough group could be the making of Hodgson’s young stars, who will be forced to perform to their best against 2006 world champions Italy and Luis Suarez’s Uruguay if they are to progress.

Little should be read into pre-tournament friendly results, which most recently saw England held by Ecuador and Group D opponents Italy draw 1-1 with lowly Luxembourg.

What Hodgson can take from the games in Miami is a good guise of who’s up to the challenge, England’s defence was torn apart at will by the speedy Ecuadorian attack, proving the experience of Chelsea’s Gary Cahill is still a necessity.

Whether that is alongside Everton’s Phil Jagielka or the younger Phil Jones is another question, both provide a very different partner while neither is world class, yet.

Frank Lampard spoke about players’ fear of getting injured in the build up, and the injury sustained by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain against Ecuador could be a massive blow to the Three Lions’ attacking intent.

Despite not playing regularly for his club this season, the Arsenal man shone in Wednesday’s friendly and made an excellent claim for a starting spot before suffering a medial knee ligament injury.

The Ox is one of England’s new breed, comfortable with the ball and willing to run at defences, and along with the likes of Raheem Sterling, reckless lunges aside, and Ross Barkley could prove key to unlocking the Azzurri in Manaus and Los Charrúas in Sao Paulo.

Hodgson is likely to opt for James Milner in the opener, with ‘Boring James’ trusted with task of tracking back and nullifying the Italy attack in the heat and humidity of the Amazon.

Milner, perhaps unfairly targeted as a no-frills utility man, is by no means a poor choice and can become a fans’ favourite not just for his namesake’s twitter musings.

Throw into the mix Southampton star Adam Lallana and speedster Danny Welbeck, who has a taste for the international scene, and Hodgson has an abundance of options for his ‘three’ behind either of Anfield teammates Daniel Sturridge or Ricky Lambert.

And that’s without mentioning England’s fifth all-time top scorer, Wayne Rooney. Many question the 28-year-old’s best position, some say he is past his peak, but on his day Rooney can still be a world-beater.

For all the youthful exuberance in Hodgson’s squad, it appears the well-travelled boss will find a role for the second-top English scorer in the Premier League last season.

So with Cahill, Rooney, skipper Steven Gerrard and a mix of the younger contingent in Sterling, Sturridge, Barkley and co, reaching the quarter-final stage would surely prove a success this time round, but is also not unrealistic.

Should they qualify, England will fancy themselves against one of Colombia, Cote D’Ivoire, Greece or Japan in the first knockout, and once you reach the last eight?

Well, anything can happen.

Let’s just hope this expectation isn’t misplaced come June 14.