Monday 22 December 2014 13:29, UK
England boss Roy Hodgson believes his squad has put the disappointment of a poor World Cup campaign behind them.
England failed to make an impression in Brazil in the summer as they lost to Italy and Uruguay before drawing with Costa Rica to finish bottom of their group.
But Hodgson’s team are well placed to qualify for Euro 2016 with maximum points from their first four European Qualifiers, which were complemented by friendly victories over Norway and Scotland in the autumn.
"Fortunately we've managed to redress the balance somewhat since the World Cup," Hodgson told FATV.
"Obviously the team has been even further renewed. We lost one or two senior players at the end of the World Cup for one reason or another.
"That's forced us to look at what's available and many of the players available these days are the younger ones and luckily they've repaid our faith in them during this autumn period."
The players are working very hard at the moment to make certain that we become as solid and unified a team as we can possibly be.
The England manager is now optimistic for the future.
"Certainly on paper we're the best team in the group and as a result it will be our duty to make certain we qualify from the group," Hodgson said.
"Nothing I've seen so far has led me to believe that's not possible. But we've got our feet on the ground. We know we've got work to do, we know we can get better, we know we can improve.
"And the players are working very hard at the moment to make certain that we become as solid and unified a team as we can possibly be.
"I'm pleased that we've had a good run of games now. I'm pleased that the team, in my opinion, is playing some good football and showing signs of a bright future."
Looking back at the year, Hodgson made a surprising choice as his best moment - the goalless draw with Costa Rica which saw England finish bottom of Group D in Brazil.
"If there was one highlight of the year which really totally revived my faith in the average man's appreciation of football and his desire to support his team, then it would be the experience in Belo Horizonte.
"We played 0-0 against Costa Rica. We then went to the fans to thank them - really probably expecting them to not be terribly grateful for our thanks - (and) the reception we got there was really quite incredible.
"I think if you said to me 'tell me one thing in 2014 that's had a major effect on your life' I would say that."
