England - lets not get carried away

Two friendly wins from two, an unbeaten 2011 and a Goalkeeper that is still to taste defeat in a Three Lions jersey in some 16 appearances.  It is easy to see why England fans could get carried away with this sides progress, however that would be way too premature and slightly foolish.  Have we not learned from the past?

In many a tournament during my lifetime the same thing happens, people get carried away in the immediate build up thinking victory is inevitable.  Only for that idyllic scenario to explode, and then flows the criticism.  While from the stats this year point to a roaring success, results haven't always been the best.  And if we are perfectly honest, we still fall way behind a lot of nations worldwide.

Don't get me wrong, I am by no means saying we are down in the doldrums, just that we are a side slap band in the middle of transition.  Players like Daniel Sturridge, Jack Rodwell, Kyle Walker etc, who featured in the two recent friendlies, aren't going to immediately come into the side and turn us into world beaters.  We are building for the future, and just how long did it take Spain to become this unbelievable force that we currently see?

However if we can bed these youngsters alongside more experienced members of this side, there's no dount the future could be bright.  Wayne Rooney is of course the fulcrum of the national team, but will be missing for the group games in Euro 2012, the FAs appeal to Fifa aside.  Scott Parker is arguably the best thing to come out of Fabio Capello's era, he looks a natural and picked up another man of the match award against World Champions Spain.  While Defensively we recently looked solid, it can be up and down and as previously mentioned Joe Hart will be number one between the stick for atleast a decade.  Plus there's always the highly regarded under-21s under Stuart Pearce's leadership.

But that is all the future, let's retract and bring it back to the present.  If the Spain game taught us one thing, it was that we need to be more confortable and controlling when in possession.  Vicente Del Bosque's side pegged England back for the majority of the match, and even the most die hard of fans would have to admit we were, at least, a touch fortunate.  Compared to side's of this quality we simply don't come close, there would certainly be no repeat of this score line if we came up against Spain in more serious circumstances.

Sweden was a different kettle of fish.  A nation we hadn't defeated for over three decades, with a very experimental side put out by the Italian.  Walker proving the stand out performer in the 1-0 win, and perhaps proving a real contender to Glen Johnson who continues to divide opinion.

There aren't many games left until Euro 2012 now, and for once I just hope the usual hype doesn't consume this country once again.  Lay off, lessen the pressure and they could well perform at a good standard, although winning the thing will prove one or two steps too far.

Chelsea

With a new manager and plenty of fresh faces expected to roll into Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks, everyone concerned with this club has high hopes of another Premier League success. At the very least. Andre Villas Boas will have his work cut out though, fail to win a thing and just ask predecessor Carlo Ancelotti how that gruesome axe feels when it's horrendously wielded by Roman Abramovich. Chelsea will be hoping to start where they left off, with a tremendous finish to the season bringing them surging into second place.

Goalkeeper

Everyone knows who the number one is here, and next season will be no different. Petr Cech will keep his place between the sticks, hoping to put what have been increasingly frequent mistakes, by his standards, over the last few seasons to one side. New signing Thibaud Courtois has arrived and departed on loan already, so Ross Turnbull, remember him, will continue with deputy duties.

Defence

Typically very strong, and this season should be no different. With John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic and Alex they possess three big intimidating centre half's, which also couples as a terrific weapon at set pieces. New boy David Luiz, despite occasional erratic behaviour on the pitch, has already endeared himself to the fans and looks a great buy. With Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa they also have attacking wing backs, who can track back and forth up the touch line all day long.

Midfield

After a blistering start last season, the middle of the park seemed to go a bit stale. Frank Lampard failed to hit his trademark thunderbolts as often as usual, while his passing occasional went astray too. Ramires failed to live up to his fee, while some steel was lost, and will continue to be, due to Michael Essien's injury problems. Villas Boas could have a little work to do here, although the return of Yossi Benayoun will add much needed creativity.

Forwards

The debate continue to rage about Chelsea's front line, can a partnership be formed, who needs to leave and will they sign any one else. Mr Abramovich is certain to want a return on his £50m investment of Fernando Torres, and it is widely known he prefers a lone striker role. But with Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Saloman Kalou and the returning Daniel Sturridge to please is that possible? Well with support strikers it could certainly work, but putting a partner with the Spaniard up top would not.

Manager

Despite being just 33 years of age, Villas Boas already has a healthy reputation around Europe. Hence the reporter £13+ paid to secure his services from FC Porto, the highest ever for a manager. In his one season in charge of the Portuguesse giants he won four trophies, in the form of Supercup, Primeira Liga, Portuguesse Cup and Europa League (becoming the youngest manager to win a European competition). There is no reason he shouldn't succeed in London, but if he doesn't it could prove a very costly gamble.

Areas to Strengthen

At the back they remain as solid as ever, but it is at the other end where the problems could lie. The striker problem needs to be sorted whether that is with departures and arrivals, although there's no reason it can't be sorted internally. In Midfield a replacement for Essien needs to found, as it seems even if he does return he won't be at his best, injuries take their toll, or he won't return for too long. A bit more of a creative edge could also be sought.

Expectations

Abramovich covets the one trophy that has so far eluded him, and that is of course The Champions League. Many a manager have been sacked for failed to secure it, Avram Grant even went despite losing in the final...Due to a slip from Terry. A decent effort in that will need to be had, but that wont be enough. A Premier League title, or push for it, and domestic cup honours will also be sought.

Odds

11/4 (Sky Bet)

Players In

Thibaud Courtois £5m (Genk) Lucas Piazon £5+extras (Sao Paulo - will join in January) Oriol Romeu £4.5m (Chelsea) Romelu Lukaku £18m (Anderlecht) Raul Meireles £12m (Liverpool) Juan Mata £23.5m (Valencia)

Players Out

Michael Mancienne, Gokhan Tore, Slobodan Rajkovic and Jacopo Sala undisclosed (Hamburg) Jack Cork £750,000 (Southampton) Yuri Zhirkov undisclosed (Anzhi Makhachkala) Danny Philliskirk free (Sheffield United) Jan Sebek, Bobby Devyne, Anton Rodgers, Ben Sampayo, Carl Magnay, Michael Woods, Sam Hutchinson (all realeased) Fabio Borini free (Parma) Sam Walker loan (Northampton Town) Jeffrey Bruma Loan (Hamburg) Thibaud Courtois Loan (Atletico Madrid) Tomas Kalas loan (Vitesse Arnhem) Ben Gordon loan (Peterborough United) Ulises Davila loan (Vitesse Arnhem) Patrick van Aanholt loan (Wigan Athletic) Gael Kakuta loan (Bolton Wanderers) Yossi Benayoun loan (Arsenal)

Bolton Wanderers

Under the astute guidance of Owen Coyle Bolton showed steady, if unspectacular, progress last term. The loan signing of Daniel Sturridge, following that of Jack Wilshire, seemed inspired and a few more like that could see his side propel up the table. Wanderers have not been a side to sink into relegation battles too much over recent seasons, and another mid (ish) table finish could be more likely. 

Goalkeeper

Jussi Jaaskelainen has been one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League during his stay of over a decade. It is incredible that he has not been snatched by a bigger side either here or on the continent. Ali Al Hadsi has departed for fierce rivals Wigan Athletic, but in Adam Bogdan Bolton still have a competent deputy.

Defence

Gary Cahill continues to be linked with the higher echelons of the English game, but even if he were to depart The Trotters would still be ok in the centre of their defence. Zat Knight and David Wheater would be more than able to fill in, but it is at full back where they could perhaps suffer. There is no doubt they are solid defensively, but is the quality there to be the attacking full backs modern day football seems to demand?

Midfield

Down the years The Reebok Stadium side have had a solid midfield, typically tough to break down whilst also having enough creativity to challenge in the attacking third. Fabrice Muamba along with new boy Nigel Reo Coker provide the steel, whilst Stuart Holden and Martin Petrov are full of creative juices. However it could perhaps be Chung-Yong Lee, who has admiring glances from higher in the game, who is the main attraction in the middle.

Forward

Johan Elmander has departed for Galatasaray and Sturridge has gone back to Chelsea, so certain improvement is needed. Captain Kevin Davies is sure to be the focal point of the attack once again, while Ivan Klasnic will feature at times, but a proven goalscorer is a necessity.

Manager

Coyle has endeared himself to the Wanderers faithful since his controversial move from Burnley, and will no doubt make further improvements in the 2011/12 season. He has built a good side on years of solid foundations, and it wont take much for a mid table finish or higher to become a reality.

Areas to Strengthen

The most important thing on the shopping list should be a proven goalscorer to work alongside Kevin Davies. Sturridge proved a sensation at the back end of last term, but a similar deal looks unlikely, so other targets need to indentified as without it this side could struggle for goals.

Expectations

After a 14th placed finish last year, it wouldn't take much for this side to improve and march up the table. For that to happen though, as mentioned, goals will need to come from somewhere.

Odds

2500/1 (Sky Bet)

Players In

Darren Pratley free (Swansea City) Nigel Reo Coker free (Aston Villa) Chris Eagles and Tyrone Mears joint £3m (Burnley) David Ngog undisclosed (Liverpool) Tuncay Sanli loan (Wolfsburg) Dedryck Boyata loan (Manchester City) Gael Kakuta loan (Chelsea) 

Players Out

Ali Al Habsi £4m (Wigan Athletic), Matt Taylor undisclosed (West Ham United) Andrew Burns free (Bradford City) Johan Elmander free (Galatasaray) Jason Brown free (Aberdeen) Ricardo Gardner, Jlloyd Samuel, Joey O'Brien, Tamir Cohen, Sam Sheridan, Maison McGeechan, Tom Eckersley (all released)