More promising youngsters that you can shake a stick at? A side full of Europe's elite talents? Pundits talking your team up as potentially the best in the world? England fans, you know how this one ends, crying into your pint after watching five of the worst spot-kicks you'll ever see.
There are signs, however, that things could be different for Gareth Southgate's Golden Generation, a certain steeliness to the side, a willingness to try new things, the general sense that they would be able to give Algeria/Iceland/Uruguay a game.