Still impressed by exciting England

In a must-win clash, Roy Hodgson’s side ensured qualification to the World Cup in Brazil next summer with goals from Wayne Rooney and Steve Gerrard, while another sparkling display from winger Andros Townsend gave supporters real hope for the future.

Still said: “I thought England did terrific, absolutely terrific. For the first time in a long time England were exciting to watch, so every credit to the manager and the coaching staff.

“Were there flaws defensively? Yes, because we were being counter attacked and maybe against a better side they might have made more of it.

“But you can only beat what’s in front of you. His (Roy Hodgson’s) tactics against a better side may have been different. I think for that particular game, the tactics were first class.

“He wasn’t afraid to bring an untried player in who became the star of the show in Andros Townsend.

“I thought he had the right combinations all over the pitch. The two forwards in (Wayne) Rooney and (Daniel) Sturridge did well. In the first game (against Montenegro), the combination of (Steven) Gerrard and (Frank) Lampard was good and he was brave enough to change that for the second one thinking that maybe they might need someone a touch more defensive in (Michael) Carrick who I think is a terrific player.

“I think he found another answer to a possible question somewhere along the way, because Ashley Cole has been a fantastic player for England, but can we play without Ashley Cole? Yes we can play without Ashley Cole.

“That situation down the left hand side with Leighton Baines was fantastic. He was brave, he was positive, he felt we had to win two games, he went to win two games and we won two games.

“He can’t do more than that. Well done Roy Hodgson and well done England.”

On England’s chances in Brazil, Still was less optimistic, saying: “I think other than Spain, I’m not sure a European team can win it it. So I’m not saying it’s just England, Spain might be able to do it, because they’re that good.

“Germany will find it tough and I like Germany, but maybe a South American team might win it.

“The closer it comes, we’ll see how teams are playing, but if any European team wins it, I think it will be Spain.”

With England not in the top seeds after the FIFA world rankings were announced this week, but the likes of Switzerland were, Still added: “Rules are rules, I don’t make them. It is probably going to make it tougher, but cream always rises to the top.

“If we’re good enough, we’ll find a way of getting past the teams in front of us. The best players, best teams, rise to the top.

“England have got some good players. Who knows if they get better and better and better.

“I’m hoping we can carry on improving and give us all a little bit more excitement.”

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