In the days, weeks and months subsequent to England’s worst World Cup showing since 1958, the team’s performance, or lack thereof, will be analysed from a range of angles.

Quite rightly fans will be critical of events in Brazil, though it is important that they are looked at from a pragmatic perspective and that estimations are made against appropriate standards.

Whilst it seems a juxtaposition to suggest that the worst thing to happen to English football was the tournament triumph on home soil in 1966, since then the nation has belonged to an elite group in the minds of many and are expected to replicate the feat again at some stage.

The chances of that happening this year were remote though, and the vast majority of supporters embraced that stance as the tournament commenced just eleven days ago, nevertheless, after a promising start against Italy, expectations seemed to ramp up once again.

However, now that Roy Hodgson’s men are set to fly home after Tuesday night’s dead rubber against Costa Rica, the whole situation needs to be assessed realistically, starting with the pool from which England failed to emerge.

In the so called Group of Death, England were the third best ranked side according to FIFA’s statistics and true to the standings, those ahead of them came out on top. 2-1 defeats to seventh and ninth placed Uruguay and Italy meant that Hodgson’s squad succumbed to their superiors and, whilst the rankings are disputable, England’s own placing is a fallacy.

According to the global governing body’s system, the Three Lions are the tenth best side in the world though there is no way that they are ahead of Belgium, Chile, the Netherlands, France, Croatia and Mexico at present, particularly on the evidence delivered so far.

Simply put, England have been on the receiving end of results, from the reigning Copa América champions and the beaten Euro 2012 finalists, which arguably should have been expected and many thought would occur anyway.

What happened to those pre-tournament worries? Have we forgotten that we all harboured the fear that England would crash out at this stage anyway? Okay, the performances were at times dreadful but frankly, what more should we have expected?

Moving on, there have been suggestions during the campaign that Hodgson should have stuck with the ‘old guard’ and taken Chelsea duo Ashley Cole and John Terry to South America.

Those making these calls have been the same fans that championed the manager’s faith in youth, something that England’s young, emerging stars have thus far shown was not misplaced.

Perhaps Cole would have not been so naïve when Antonio Candreva fainted back inside during the opener, and perhaps Terry would have tracked Luis Suárez to prevent him floating in to the box alone for Uruguay’s first, however we cannot bemoan in hindsight what might have been.

Indeed, Hodgson’s squad was greeted with widespread approval and to now question the wily old manager’s reckoning would be a disservice. There’s also the fact that Terry retired of his own volition, remember?

If England are to improve in future, it seems there must be a revolution of sorts amongst the playing staff and former leading lights must be moved on to clear the way for stars of the future.

Captain Steven Gerrard’s heart-breaking end to the season with Liverpool carried on in Brazil and although he remains a useful weapon in Brendan Rodgers’ armoury, on the international stage he is a spent force and must be dispensed of. Thanks Stevie G, but as far as your England career goes, this is the end of the line.

Sentiment is rightly held on to in everyday life though in the footballing world, the Three Lions are being left behind and Wayne Rooney may deservedly be a victim of an oncoming reappraisal of personnel.

At his peak the Manchester United forward was unplayable, and the heir apparent to Gerrard, but in Brazil his international career has reached a nadir.

Other younger, more vibrant players, are staking a claim for his place in the team, most notably Raheem Sterling, and perhaps it would be best for him to relinquish his untouchable status.

However, it has to be said that the number ten for club and country has become a scapegoat for England’s failings. Yes, he should play better, yet the vitriol spewed towards him during and after this tournament, predominantly from fans of United’s rivals, is nothing short of ludicrous.

The pillorying of Rooney will draw comparisons to that experience by David Beckham post-France ’98 and realistically we must ask ourselves to what extent he deserves the criticism.

Despite being the nation’s fifth highest goalscorer in history, Rooney could conceivably turn his back on the Three Lions and without doubt it would be a great shame. The kid that went to Euro 2004 and lit up the stage is now hated by millions of his compatriots, a preposterous result of as yet unfulfilled promise at international level.

We must not wait forever but getting on his back will only weigh Rooney down once again.

Speaking of the future though, England’s looks bright once they emerge from this hazy, somewhat transitional, period.

Sterling, Ross Barkley, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck have all had their moments in Brazil, whilst they are joined in the squad by Phil Jones, Luke Shaw and Jack Wilshere, all of whom have shown immense promise.

England may be in a state of disarray following their torrid campaign, but the foundations are in place for improved performances in upcoming tournaments, starting with Euro 2016.

Greg Dyke’s plans to reform the game warrant a mention too, and although aspects of his proposal defy belief, there is a sense that the FA is leading the way in taking measures for the good of the game.

Perhaps England’s performance has been a horrid affair, but there is reason for optimism which means expectations could be met sooner, rather than later.

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