The gloom and doom merchants have had plenty of ammunition this week to talk down England's World Cup chances - but they are all jumping the gun.
David Beckham's metatarsal mishap was followed by Sol Campbell's hamstring trouble, but things are nowhere near as bad as they look.
These knocks to key players could be a major blessing in disguise for Sven Goran Eriksson as he prepares for the World Cup.
Beckham, Campbell and Rio Ferdinand should be fit for Japan and will be better for the rest.
With the fixture congestion caused by Champions League and Cup commitments reaching ridiculous levels, some of the top players were in serious danger of burn-out before May.
And if the only way for his players to recharge their batteries is through injury, I am sure Sven would take it. Now there is no reason why England cannot mount a serious challenge.
Eriksson has started to combat fatigue by implementing the sensible idea of scrapping friendlies next year.
While that is a shame for fans who will not get the opportunity to see the national side, it makes perfect sense.
International friendlies have become a bit silly, the amount of substitutions have made it like two games within one.
The value to be gained from testing out new players has been reduced as the second half line-up has often resembled nothing like his first choice team.
Someone like Southampton's Wayne Bridge for example, would gain real benefit from slotting into the full-strength for a friendly.
But if he is lining up alongside 10 players in the same position as him, all desperate to prove themselves, it does not do so much good.
The proposed squad get-togethers sound like an excellent idea. It will give the players a chance to bond with their England colleagues without exhausting them for the next club game a few days later.
With the World Cup just a few weeks away the England squad is starting to take shape and Eriksson is probably getting close to finalising his list.
Kieron Dyer has all but guaranteed his place, he would need to have an absolute nightmare against Paraguay to miss out.
There is always one late charger who breaks into the squad from nowhere and I thought it would be Darren Anderton, but his omission tomorrow makes it hard to see him being included.
Matt Jansen's inclusion appears to give him a chance, but he won't go to the Far East.