England Heads Into World Cup With Little Expectations

England will be heading into the World Cup 2014 with no expectations on them after having struggled in previous tournaments. Further, manager Roy Hodgson decided to take a young team that has been devoid of first-team experience at the top level. As a result, many expect that it would be a good tournament even if England just managed to get into the knockout stages. The former Swansea manager Roberto Martinez, though, thinks that Roy Hodgson’s men can take the World Cup by storm just as Spain did a few years ago.

Before the Euro 2008, Spain came into the tournament after having previously failed in several major tournaments. They were without a major trophy for the last four decades. However, the brilliant Spanish managed to lift the title and then have gone on to lift numerous others as well. They are the current European and world champions. Martinez reckons that this English team could do a Spain in the World Cup 2014. Martinez helped Everton reached the fifth place in the Premier League with a number of English players at the helm.
He says that doing well at the World Cup 2014 will have a huge effect on the England national team just as it did with the Spanish almost a decade ago.

“What does English football do to emulate Spain? It is a question that I get asked a lot and my answer is always the same — I honestly do not believe that we are that far away. Yes, Spain are the world champions and the success they have enjoyed in recent years is there for all to see, but this country is very close to having something special. All it needs is that catalyst for the potential that I see on a daily basis to be realised,” said Martinez.