England v Poland

8pm tonight,
& it's all come darn to this.

What always seems to be, a nerve racking, must win game for England to qualify for another World Cup event.

before we go further, Who remembers this fixture back in 1973 !
Another 'must win' game...Against Poland, & We DIDN"T .
I remember it well. It seemed like literally the whole Nation was tuned in that night, at the time...The disappointment, & disbelief more than anything.
Before hand I just 'assumed' there would be no problem. A mere formality.
Also. THREE Leeds United players involved that night !
One nigh on a single handed 'hero'..another the 'villain'. Unfortunately no representatives from any local sides tonight

For those too young to remember, read the BBC Sport report "When Clough's clown stopped England"

Tonight..
another 're-run' ? We have to be favourites again,
Don't we ?
We also need to win ..to be sure.

There are the usual questions 'asked' in the media,
Who will Hodgson pick.
who will be fit.
Gerrard 'Haunted' by the Croatian defeat in '08 - Hell ! How time flies.
But all that amounts to 'Jack Shiite' ..only a win will do.

Baines to play. (cole injured)
Townsend to play if fit.. He'll be fit.
Walker (Spurs) out suspended...
Sterling maybe to replace Cleverly, who got injured on Thursday v 'Monty'.

All that aside.
Thoughts. !
Shouldn't we be well capable of beating Poland at Wembley anyway ?

One positive before hand in my view, the allocation of 18 thousand tickets for the Polish fans, Which will surely be snapped up..we should have a full house for this one, with an atmosphere to match.

Back in October the score was a 1-1 in Poland.
bringing us to the here & now... A win & we qualify, simple.
However, Ukraine play San Marino..& will crush the bottom side in our group. If we draw, that puts Ukraine through, with us having to negotiate a two leg play off..leading us onto,
'Hodgson anxious before tonights game' !
talking about a sleepless night, & telling us he's a 'worrier'
Try working for a living Roy..then not earning enough to mathematically get by... That's a 'worry'.

Will the 'occasion' ..atmosphere & location give the Poles a determination to go beyond going through the motions of a qualifier that holds no reward for them other than stopping England going to Brazil !
I think those 'noisy' Jimmy Grants amassed with national pride at stake WILL give their side the lift they need.

But I also expect every player chosen to pull on those Three Lions tonight to play 'above & beyond'..
Here's to hoping it's a
I'm going for an emphatic England win !
3-0.

I've never been to Brazil