HOPEFULLY, NO FALCON ABOUT TONIGHT

Exactly a year ago today, on the first round of qualifying matches, England beat Slovakia 1-0 (Lallana scored after 90 + 5 mins) in Trvana. Slovakia, known as the Slovenski Sokoli, the Slovak Falcons,  but in casual conversation the locals will talk about the Repre when they talk about their national side. The country has a population of 5.5 million.
On the same day Scotland beat Malta 5-1 in Ta 'Qali, where England won 4-0 on Friday.
I wrote this Blog to celebrate the occasion and of course, Sam was England manager then. Much has changed, although the map of Slovakia has not and needs to be looked at to check on Trvana.
http://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/into-falcons-nest.html

The team that day was:
Hart, Rose, Walker, Cahill, Dier, Stones, Henderson, Sterling, Kane, Rooney, Lallana.
Subs used Walcott, Sturridge, Alli.

Today, under the guidance of Gareth Southgate, England engage in the return fixture at Wembley. Winning this will guarantee, barring a disaster! first place in the group and thereby avoid the need to go into a play-off.

Slovakia in qualifying have also:-
Lost to Slovenia away 1-0,
Beaten Scotland 3-0 at home,
Beaten Lithuania 4-0 at home
Beaten Malta 1-3 away
Beaten Lithuania 1-2 away
Beaten Slovenia 1-0 at home
So                P7 W5 L2 F13 A 4 Pts 15
ENGLAND P7 W5 D2 F14 A 2 Pts 17