Here comes the real test.
England's performance against Panama last Sunday was rampant, but can conclusions and predictions really be drawn from meetings with the World Cup debutant and Tunisia?
theScore had another chat with former Three Lions international Dean Ashton in anticipation of Thursday's Group G scuffle with Belgium. A range of topics were covered, including whether he'd break into today's national team if it wasn't for an early retirement, how to test the Red Devils' centre-backs, and why the criticism of Roberto Martinez might be deserved.
We've already discussed how Steve Holland was good with set-pieces when he was your coach at Crewe Alexandra. What else does he bring to the role of assistant in the England setup?
Dean Ashton: He's got a very calm approach to coaching, which I think helps settle everybody down. Not only are his sessions enjoyable, but you feel like you can learn from them. Rather than being run of the mill or mundane, there's a real purpose behind his sessions. He's also always trying to improve players, which is so important. He's always been very, very good at spotting what's needed for players.
Do you think he's destined to become a manager again?
DA: He's still quite a relatively young man. With all his experience, I think it would be great to see him get another go in management. He's done fantastic as a No. 2, but I'm sure he will want to test himself at some point.
Is it sometimes difficult for a bit-part player in a squad, like a third-choice goalkeeper, to maintain focus?
DA: It's incredibly hard. You know as players how far you are down the pecking order and whether you're going to get much football, and of course, it's difficult if you feel as if you're not going to see many minutes. It's about your professionalism. It's about being at a World Cup and understanding how important every single member is and being ready if you are called upon.
Do you think you would still be in the England squad if you didn't have to retire through injury? - asked by Stephen Kevin Clarke via Twitter
DA: I would probably say no. I was never really blessed with huge amounts of pace. I think I could've still been playing Premier League football, but at 34 and with my size I would struggle to still be going in international football.
If Dele Alli is fit for the Belgium match, would you start him?
DA: I probably wouldn't. I'd give him a bit more time and I think that other players deserve their place. Obviously (Ruben) Loftus-Cheek is on a yellow card, so that might come into Gareth Southgate's point of view, but I wouldn't be changing the team unnecessarily. I think the players that have played well should keep their place, and I don't particularly believe in resting players at a World Cup.
Would you change the system against a stronger opposition? Like playing Eric Dier alongside Jordan Henderson in midfield, or going to a flat back-four? - asked by Craig Kent via Twitter
DA: I definitely wouldn't go back to a flat back-four. I think we can forget about that. We're definitely moving forward with a back-three. But I would definitely play Dier and Henderson, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if he plays them both against Belgium. We should give lots of respect to strong opposition, and I like the reassurance of having two holding midfield players. Henderson gets around the pitch so well anyway.
Kieran Trippier had his thigh strapped after he was substituted against Panama. Given his form, even if he wasn't 100 percent would you still want to start him?
DA: Of course you'd want to start him, but we don't know whether that's a dead leg, a slight tweak, a bit of tightness, a bit of cramp. I wouldn't be risking him if you feel he's carrying something. This is the kind of game where if you've got somebody on the edge of being fit and you can't play them, we already know we're into the next round. Trippier's been superb, and we know that round-of-16 match is most important.
But do you think Trippier's position could be pivotal against Belgium given the apparent weakness of ersatz left wing-back Yannick Carrasco?
DA: Yeah, but what's great is we've got Kyle Walker who could play there. He's equally as good as Trippier. We could even give Trent Alexander-Arnold a run-out, who's been absolutely magnificent for Liverpool. You wouldn't worry about putting him there with his pace and crossing ability. We're blessed with right-backs.
Do you see any other weaknesses in this Belgium team?
DA: I always think you look at their team and you struggle to find the weaknesses, but I think they're a fantastic team of individuals. Just at times they've lacked a togetherness, especially against Wales in the European Championships, and a bit like England have over the years. You want to start the game well, and if you can get the lead, that would really test their mentality.
How would you personally test Vincent Kompany and Dedryck Boyata? Both are challenging for the central spot in Belgium's back-three.
DA: If Kompany plays, you would certainly be looking to stretch him, get in behind and test any niggling injuries that he's got. You'd want to get him sprinting, twisting and turning with runs down the side of him. I don't think Boyata's the biggest - not quite as strong as Kompany - so I would try to physically impose myself on him. I'm sure Harry Kane will know how he's going to approach the game against any of the centre-backs because he'll do his homework on all of them.
Following France and Denmark's dire goalless draw, are you concerned that Belgium versus England could be a bore fest?
DA: I think when you get these kinds of group games when both teams are through, it's easy for players to be one or two percent below than they would normally be because they don't want to get injured or pick up a yellow card. You've always got that in the back of your mind as a player - it's very hard to get rid of that.
In addition to knowing they're through already, there seems to be a benefit in finishing second due to what side of the bracket you drop into. Do you think one or two players from either side would take their foot off the gas if it's still a draw around 75 minutes in?
DA: I think it's totally natural to. It's just human nature. I remember in the weeks leading up to playing in the FA Cup final, you could just tell with the (West Ham United) team and players that nobody wanted to get injured. There wasn't the same intensity as there was before. I think it will be the same with these players. Subconsciously, you want to be right and fresh for that round of 16.
Do you think the criticism that Belgium's Roberto Martinez gets as a manager is deserved?
DA: Yes, just because of his record. He's shown over the years that most of his teams play attractive, attacking football, but he has struggled to consistently get a team to be solid defensively. Obviously, you've got to work with the players that you've got for the national side and he's lucky in that sense that he's got a bit of both: they've quality defensive-minded players but they've also got real attacking flair. It's the type of team and squad you look at and think he can get the best out of both, and that's the worry for England.
This interview has been edited and condensed. If you have a question for Dean, please submit it to @danieljrouse on Twitter.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
