Is it just me, or does this time feel different? Obviously, we are all excited at the prospect of England, OUR team, joining the elites of international football in Brazil next year. However, unlike before - this time feels... subdued.
In years gone by, it's been a formality for England to reach a major tournament, except for the horror show against Croatia in 2007. Normally, what we see on the back pages of our tabloids, are bold, non-realistic chances of achievement: "A nation expects." Yes, we expect to do well in a tournament, but most of the time, we don't expect to win it. Yet, everyone does expect them to.
It's strange. After Tuesday's victory against Poland, I felt relieved. I could sit back down on my chair properly, as I was on the edge of it for the whole ninety minutes. However, despite feeling like that, I was almost thinking - well, that's quite good; but I won't be angry if we don't win it.
I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not, but I think it is. You see, the FA has this new vision, under the reins of Greg Dyke and his newly proposed commission, English football, and therefore the state of our international team is being left to the hands of... Danny Mills.
I'm not saying it's a bad thing, but this is a bloke that gained 19 caps, and played in the 2002 World Cup because Gary Neville was injured.
He [Mills] also gained all of his 19 caps away from Wembley. A record to this day.
So now, England have to build for the future. So, I accept this. I believe that we will give Brazil a good show of English football, and we can go far. I'm thinking quarter-finals at least, semi-finals would be fantastic. Winning the tournament would be awe-inspiring, but I'm being realistic.
For me, I can see Roy Hodgson being safely in charge for next tournament, at least if his health and mind are at ease, and he doesn't talk about astronauts.
Being unseeded for next summer's World Cup brings a sense of 'no pressure' to the England side, who are yet to add to their tally of World Cup wins, after victory over West Germany. They were quoted as being 'underdogs' for the tournament, which could make them favourites, as Italy and The Netherlands have both won the trophy as unseeded countries.
I think, for once, we should relax coming into a major championships. We will cheer on our side, because that's what we do. But we shouldn't get upset [unless we lose to Germany on penalties in a semi-final] but we should remain optimistic, that by 2022 - we will, and mark my words, be holding the Jules Rimet Trophy aloft - Bobby Moore style.