England manager Fabio Capello says he still feels as though he is in his "dream job" and has as much confidence in his players as ever.
Much stiffer challenges lie ahead, not least on Tuesday when the Three Lions head to Basle for a meeting with a Switzerland team that were good enough to beat eventual winners Spain in South Africa.
Only then will Capello - and a sceptical public - have an idea about England's likely progress towards the finals in Poland and the Ukraine, and whether the Italian will be allowed to get on with his job without a question mark over his head.
Capello is adamant his thirst for the task remains undimmed.
"It is still the dream job," he said.
"I have a lot of passion and I am a fighter. I always need to fight. That is my mentality. It is my life.
"This is a fantastic job and I still have confidence in this team.
"And I think we can improve."
