For those who only get to see the 23-year-old’s many highlights on a Saturday night may find it difficult to comprehend. His strikes from range and his runs past defenders, which on so many occasions end in celebration - much like his debut strike for England - are regularly shown.

Manchester City fans, who watch him each week, will surely testify that he does occasionally have off days, and not all his efforts sail beyond the ‘keeper.

But what sets him apart from many men is his willingness to keep going, to keep looking for ways to improve. He plays with a smile on his face and enjoys the opportunities that come his way.

He’s a young lad and wants to get better and better and he's eager to impress, and nights like Wednesday at Villa Park will only help him reach his full potential. Excitement and enthusiasm may have got the better of him during his 61 minutes against Holland, but he also provided the 40,000-strong England crowd with a glimpse into the future.

Each time the ball headed in the direction of Shaun, the crowd noise began to rise in anticipation. The player himself may have been hyped-up by his first England start, but he also made his mark on a new set of followers.

After two uncharacteristic errors, giving possession back to the Dutch in England territory, one which led to Dirk Kuijt sending a powerful shot against the inside of Paul Robinson’s post, Wright-Phillips set about putting England in control of the game.

As part of England’s three-pronged attack, himself and Wayne Rooney working around the lone-striker Michael Owen, Wright-Phillips had two great chances with which to seal victory for England.

His first followed a fine move on the left as David Beckham got the better of his man and pulled back to the awaiting City sensation. As he shaped to shoot with his stronger right-foot from 12-yards out, many would have laid out big-money that he’d have his second England goal in the bag. Instead, he drove fiercely wide of the mark.

Then, just five minutes later, his second and best chance was put on a plate by Gary Neville. His cross to the edge of the six-yard box required nothing more than the formality of a side-foot, but somehow Shaun stubbed the ball taking out any sting that would have caused Edwin van der Sar’s heart to flutter - A chance that the on-looking Marco van Basten would have gobbled up in his day.

This would knock the confidence of many strong men. Shaun, however, is something else. As we have seen so far, his ‘on’ days far out weigh his ‘off’ days. And that we have someone who is capable of flicking the mightiest of switches gives England a real boost before their return to the important matter of World Cup qualification next month.

A moment of brilliance just before the break did more than just whet the appetite for what is to come in the future. Chasing down a ball wide on the right with Jan Kromkamp breathing down his neck, Wright-Phillips teased the AZ Alkmaar full-back in, before flicking deftly around him creating the opening, which he dragged past the near post.

He’ll no doubt pick the faults with his game and look at how he can be better for next time when he watches the video, he strives for perfection and is modest enough to realise that he’s not there just yet. If he’s nearly there come June 2006, then we’ll all be smiling in Germany.

Shaun-Wright Phillips. It’s good to have him on our side.