England v Croatia

England were good. Croatia were disorganised and uninspired. A 9-2 aggregate victory over two games against such opponents (no. 9 in the FIFA rankings, World Cup dark horses, arguably as strong a team beyond Holland, Spain, Germany and Brazil in the world between 2006-8) is a startling scoreline and a testimony to the team's development.

A few thoughts;

Jermain Defoe shouldn't be starting. I've said it before. I'll recommend it again. He is a dangerous, livewire striker who can contribute but - and I do not think that Emile Heskey/Carlton Cole are ideal forwards for England - he isn't the best man for the job. He doesn't link the play, he won't hold the ball up, his gifts are not quite so flattering against the very best, he's not as prolific as he may seem right now... I could go on.

8 straight qualifying wins. Only Spain and possibly Germany and Holland have looked better. Leading scorers as well. I'm almost getting excited.

Matthew Upson concerns me. I'm not convinced he is the country's third best centre back, nor that he can be relied upon against the elite that a World Cup will bring. JT would certainly prefer to see RF next to him and so would I.

Robert Green has done everything asked of him in the last few games. He probably won't win any games for England but it doesn't seem like he will lose any either which, considering the failed exploits of Robinson and Carson, isn't a bad thing.

Glen Johnson will improve defensively. Capello will always prefer 2 powerful, offensive full backs and play a holding midfielder to cover for the attacking raids. The problems for Johnson appear more in regards to concentration than to talent.

Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard can't play together? That's so 2006...

I wonder where Joe Cole fits into all this?

Wayne Rooney: Your time is here. I don't even think he has been at his best so far this season but if football were a game purely of statistics (chances created, goals, assists etc...) he'd be leading the charts right now.

Aaron Lennon, who was very impressive in the build up to the last World Cup, has charged his way to the top of the depth chart after tonight, pending the return of Theo Walcott. 'Little Shaun' should be worried about his place on the plane for South Africa.

David Beckham could become the most capped Englishman ever yet merely through picking up caps in garbage time at the end of games. Well, not entirely, he now has 114 caps, but he hasn't been a central figure to the squad for three years and hasn't scored for his country since the last World Cup. The question as to whether he can continue to claim a place in the squad while with the Galaxy may reemerge before next summer.

Steve McManaman looks like he's just come from a wedding.

Andy Townsend looks like he's just come from a tele-sales convention.

Scotland went out. No surprise. They aren't that good. Northern Ireland lost and are now struggling to finish second. France will be in the playoffs. As might Portugal after a vital win in Hungary or Sweden. So will one of Germany and Russia. And quite possibly the Czechs. Could be a tasty few games there.

5-1. That's a great result no doubt about it. It could also be the worst thing that could have happened to us all. Either it will inflate expectations to an insurmountable level and cause our exit in 2010, or we'll win the thing an have nothing to wish for.