On the right road again

I started off this mild Wednesday evening with a bit on anxiety, a week off with an injured anterior tibialis (shins to a normal people) I thought it was time to try and get back on the road and get a couple of miles under my belt. With the Brighton half marathon just 11 days away, thankfully i made it round Teddington's streets without any sign of the injury that has stopped me training for the past seven days. Getting back just in time for the Kick-off of the England-Denmark game.
This also symbolised an anxious period for an England team in transition and still under pressure to beat a Denmark team who probably aren't given as much credit as they probably deserve, despite their poor performances in South Africa.

Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Despite going a goal down, England fought back to a 2-1 win which had an almost unlikely professional performance to the usual scrappy wins that regular plague England games. One of the many positives was that it seemed that most of the squad that played a part in the game came through unscathed, pleasing their club managers no end and postponing the debate of a pointless friendly in early February leading into crucial club games for a little while longer. OK maybe that debate won't ever go away as friendlies continue to be scrutinised, but the many positives coming out tonight's games will hopefully dispel some of those doubters. Another positive was finally the inclusion of Scott Parker, not only in the squad but his second half run out that drew massive praise from all corners of the media and fans alike. Possibly my West Ham fan bias is coming through but he showed what England have been missing by recreating his brilliant form for his club. Calmness on the ball, crucial tackles and setting up attacks- it was just like being at Upton Park only with 10 better players playing around him.

Whether it's right to say that this is a 'changed England side' is a big statement to make after one win against a lesser side. But it just sets up the team up nicely for the qualifier against Wales in March in what should be a comfortable win barring any patriotic up rise from the Welsh. A win in Cardiff will achieve the main aim, qualifying for Euro 2012, let's just get there first and build a team for the future (perhaps sacrificing Euro 2012) instead of rushing into another major tournament with a substandard injured side that will most likely fail under the pressure of expectation. Perhaps we'll surprise a few people if we don't expect to win it!