A busy year of tournament football for England teams in 2019 includes the Women’s World Cup in France where England will be considered as one of the favourites to lift the trophy after finishing third in Canada four years ago.
Much has changed with the national team set-up since then, most notably of course the appointment of Phil Neville as manager to replace Mark Sampson.
Not mentioned at all in the initial discussions about Sampson’s successor, Neville has ridden the initial storm to make a positive impression.
With qualification for the World Cup only the barest of minimum requirements, however, the former Manchester United and England defender will know that the success or failure of his reign will come down to just a handful of matches in France and whether his experience can get England to take the next step.
One advantage he has is that the national team provides the focal point of the Women’s game and a recent mid-season break in the WSL allowed for Neville to take his squad to Qatar for a warm-weather training camp.
"What I've noticed since we’ve met up is that there's a real focus among the players," he told The FA website.
"They are so excited and their energy, their enthusiasm rubs off on me."
Next up is a test against three top nations (and all fellow World Cup contenders) at the SheBelieves Cup in the USA in late February/early March with matches against Brazil, Japan and the hosts.