World Cup Woes & Wobbles

England's performance last evening was probably the worst I can recall in all my years of watching our national team. It is difficult to comprehend why the kind of footballers we have can surrender meekly to a humble African Nation who were much more prepared to fight their corner despite the limited resources that they have.

We have for many almost decades now overstated our case in terms of our alleged standing in world football but the truth of the matter is that we're not good enough and are pretty well a team of 'bottlers'.

I've never had a probelm with Jamo in goal. I think his 'Calamity' tag is an easy one for journos to punt out, but when he played for City he was the right goalkeeper at the right time and did his job excellently.

Johnson looked like it was his forst outing at right back, the centres looked like strangers and Cole just couldn't get going.

Lennon always flatters to deceive. His so-called pace is a mask for a number of inadequacies. Lampard plays for Lampard and always has done. They say he can't play alongside Gerrard - that's because he doesn't want to. Barry was probably the best of the midfield bunch and Gerrard looked as though he'd been shunted out to the left 'for the team'.

Heskey is as much an international class centre forward as I am and Rooney looked bewildered.

SWP & Defoe added some much needed energy but Jemaine was sent on too late. Why did Capello hang on to Heskey (because Rooney likes him?). Rooney still looks off the pace and hasn't recovered from the Delias getting hauled out of the Champions League by Bayern. Well if we do get through, Wayne, lightning will strike the second time because the footballmeisters are waiting for you.

When you consider that Joe Cole is fresh through having missed most of the season, is in the shop window because his club don't want him and he is hunting for big wages and does have an added spark and element of surprise, I would select him on the left, drop off fat Frank and slip Gerrard back into his best position. I'd go with Crouch and Defoe up front as they work together for their club and see if Rooney wants to be an impact player instead of a non-existent one.

No doubt the squad will think it had a divine right to beat Slovenia, and might well do with 200% improvement, but gentlemen, please start to accept that you are on the same slippery slope as...Scotland. The road to football oblivion!

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.