England boss Roy Hodgson says that he is extremely happy with the performance of the team in the 2-0 win over Switzerland, but he believes that this performance has been long coming. Hodgson has been facing a barrage of criticism in recent months for his failure to get England past the group stages at the World Cup 2014. The former Liverpool and West Brom manager to the youthful squad to the World Cup, but many were left surprised at the way England fold without putting much of a challenge despite being in a tough group.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says that one of the main reasons for England not doing well in major tournaments is because of the players being afraid of failure. England went into the World Cup 2014 with higher aspirations since Roy Hodgson had decided to take a young team to the tournament. This was not an approach of previous England managers, who largely persisted with experience and campaigners. Even this ploy failed to make any impact; in fact, it resulted in one of England’s worst performances at a major tournament after they were knocked out of the group stages.

Outspoken Millwall boss Ian Holloway has blasted Arsenal youngster Jack Wilshere for his display of attitude during England’s shocking World Cup exit.

The dynamic midfield star played only eighteen minutes in the team’s first two matches against Italy and Uruguay as England were knocked out even before kicking a ball in their last game against minnows Costa Rica, but the 22 year old was afforded playing time in that last match against the tiny North American nation.

Roy Hodgson is of the opinion that the England national team can learn from the mistakes made at the World Cup 2014 after they were knocked out of the group stages. This is the first time England have suffered this embarrassing exit since 1958. They managed to take only one point from three group matches and this included two defeats against Italy and Uruguay. Defending was a major concern in the World Cup with many criticising Hodgson’s decision not to take Chelsea defender John Terry to the tournament.

England boss Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Steven Gerrard has been taken off as a precaution, but the Liverpool midfielder should be fit for the opening match against Italy without a doubt. England have been one of the teams that have not been hit by a number of injury problems going into the World Cup 2014. However, the jinx appeared to hit them when Gerrard left the training very early on Monday. Along with Gerard, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the only other major injury worry. Hodgson has given his latest fitness updates for the national team ahead of the World Cup.

England national team boss Roy Hodgson has sent out his congratulations to his Dutch counterpart Louis van Gaal, who has been named as the next manager of Manchester United. The club have been conducting discussions with the 62-year-old ever since they parted company with David Moyes while some even have suggested that United have been talking with van Gaal even before Moyes was sacked. Either way, he will now lead the club into the new season hoping to be much more successful than his predecessor. He has already given out the firm objective of winning the title next campaign.

Roy Hodgson has dismissed suggestions that he would be returning to club football after the end of the World Cup 2014. The former Liverpool and West Brom manager was appointed as the England national team manager just ahead of the Euro 2012.

He managed to guide the team to relative success – considering that he had been appointed only a few months ago – in that competition. However, many feel that he is not the right manager for the national team ahead of the World Cup 2014. England are not even the favourites to qualify for the knockout stages after being given a tough group containing the likes of Italy and Uruguay.

Ryan Bertrand made his move to Aston Villa in January as he was transferred from Chelsea to Villa on a loan deal that will last until the end of the current campaign. His chances of playing with Jose Mourinho are being limited with Ashley Cole and Cezar Azpilicueta being the preferred players that Mourinho utilizes.

Even though England did not create much opportunities in the 1-0 win over Denmark, it was a positive outing for the national team. Manager Roy Hodgson decided to use a number of young players for this international friendly, which will be one of the last matches to test players ahead of the World Cup 2014.

Daniel Sturridge scored the only goal of the game and Southampton’s Adam Lallana helped create this goal. Liverpool’s Sterling was also one of the impressive players on the pitch. Such displays have meant that Hodgson will have a selection headache when he names his 30 man squad for the World Cup in a short time.

John Terry has retired from international football, but England have been struggling without him since then. As the World Cup approaches in the summer, England will be without two of the world's best defenders like John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, as both have decided to retire from international football.

The replacements have not been able to match the standards set by the partnership. Terry is still one of the leading players in the Premier league after rediscovering his form that made him one of the world's best under Jose Mourinho.