A nation expects. Yes perhaps, but as we ponder what lies ahead for Roy Hodgson’s England, it’s worth reminding ourselves why the World Cup in Brazil will represent an opportunity for some pragmatism.

In pre-tournament talk — as we saw in South Africa in 2010 and in Euro 2012 — success may not be regarded as going all the way.
England won’t win this compeition either. The odds are too heavily stacked against them.

However, with the expectation levels capped, and talk of the Golden Generation long gone, we have safeguarded ourselves.

This could be the tournament that an England squad makes the largest strides.

Hodgson needs to continue to look to forward, to take chances with some younger members of the collective.

He has shown that he is not afraid to make difficult decisions — that’s why Ashley Cole is not going to Brazil.

Adam Lallana, the Southampton winger, enjoyed a great season for his club and was a shining light against Peru.

Jordan Henderson, of Liverpool, did well over the season. Everton’s Ross Barkley waits in the wings, as does Raheem Sterling.

England’s starting line-up in their friendly matches this week, against Ecuador on Wednesday and Honduras on Saturday, will ensure that the complete squad is given an opportunity. There is much to be optimistic about.

However, there will be much attention focused on Wayne Rooney.

Still a powerhouse in attack, we need him in the forward line, to be the one that is central to everything we hit Italy with when we face them on June 14. His partnership with Daniel Sturridge continues to blossom.

Hodgson will perhaps have to spend his time defending the selection of the Manchester United player.

He pre-empted this by suggesting that there is an obsession with the striker.

True. Rooney is just one man. But few can turn a game like him.

There were moments against Peru when England’s midfield players simply did not move the ball quickly enough.

In international football it is that ability to break down a rigid back line that can often be the decisive factor in a match and England showed precious little of it.

All it would take is a moment like that from Rooney, or from the inspirational Steven Gerrard, to turn a match. Against Peru it was Sturridge who was that man.

However, there is plenty of depth within this squad, enough to suggest that they can do a nation proud.

Importantly, this tournament could help us lay the foundations for ones to come, and that could be the biggest achievement that England will bring back from south America.