We may quibble but if you asked the Ecuador or German teams who they would like to play next, out of England or Sweden - I think they would feel their chances from a meeting with Sweden were a lot better than those from a meeting with this England team and if they could, would prefer to avoid England at this stage.

And if you can't get a good manager - the next best thing is to get a lucky one. The situation is that England have already qualified, have won their first two games and have 6 points from those matches. I can think of a few other managers who would settle for that at this stage..........Even if this is more by luck than judgement.

On reflection - it was not all bad. It just looked and felt like it for 90% of the time. Watching world-class players like Gerrard playing like he has never seen a football before and does not know what to do with it other than put it high into the crowd-or give it to the other team - is frustrating to say the least........Then he finally shows us all that he has remembered and all is forgiven.

But earlier the Swedes had the same trouble with the same team, who did not even try to win. And unlike the Swedes, England did (eventually) manage to score two good goals against them. And with John Terry's fantastic defending - we managed also to stop them from scoring (just).

At least when England play Ecuador or Germany - they will have to try and place some of their team in front of the ball. I can still see us winning the whole thing with lucky old Sven.

Sven's substitutions (to a starting line-up that most of us armchair managers would have chosen) did work. Rooney was able to play and will be all the better for the run out and the hype and expectation of his entry will now subside a little. Young Arron Lennon looked just the ticket for occasions when we have to chase to get a goal. And no one else got injured or suspended. All of that will no doubt now happen in the Sweden game........................

The Ivory Coast did look good but they have now lost both of their matches (against two good teams admittedly). Angola (with 10 men) managed a draw with (FIFA's 4th best team in the world ranking) Mexico. And I am looking forward to watching Ghana play their second game today.