Ronaldo

Says it all. About you, not England.

Someone the radio before the USA game (Colloymore?) said that Capello's one big weakness was his tendency to be stubborn. Couldn't have been more right.

4-1-4-1 is our best chance, always has been.

Drop back? They're attacking players, man. Just because they're more comfortable going forward doesn't mean they're incapable of 'the basics.' Would you accuse Sneijder or Xavi of the same thing?

I still think Lampard and Gerrard are scapegates to an extent. Nobody wants to point the finger at the strikers or wingers, who've basically been shite in ever major tournament of the last decade or so. A young Rooney is an exception in 04.

For what? To beat f***ing Algeria and Slovenia? Rubbish. Both those teams are better on the ball than us. Nonsense, tbh. Have you seen any of these players play for their clubs? The players in the England team lack the technical and tactical diversity to fit into a system together. Their deficiencies in terms of trapping the ball, maintaining possession and controlling the ball are cancelled out when playing for their clubs as they are surrounded by players who have the skillsets do this. When you try to mould all of them into a team they look useless because they can't do any of the simple basics that should be learned from a youngster. Lampard, Gerrard, Barry can't do the basics? Howay man. Lampard and Gerrard can't. been saying that for years. there's a reason their club managers surround them with the likes of Alonso, Mascherano, Lucas, Hamann, Sissoko, McAllister, Essien, Makelele, Tiago, Mikel, Ballack etc etc. Let Steve and Frank take care of running forward, taking shots and spraying long range, risky passes. leave the real midfield work of postional discipline, negotiating congested areas of the pitch with good first touch and intelligent short passing and tracking back for tackles and interceptions to others. i don't really think this issue was the major problem tonight though, as we had barry in there, poor as he was, and gerrard was shunted out wide. we had our fair share of possession and pushed algeria back most the time, especially in the 2nd half, but the cohesion to work up fluid attacks just wasn't there, not in the slightest. Absolute nonsense. Completely disregarding the stats which had Lamapard and Gerrard respectively as the top 2 creative players in the league in 08-09 and Lampard once again leading the way last season. Players need to be used corrently, you only need to look at Messi for Argentina to see that.

Where's that? Skybet? Yes. You still haven't decided on the World Cup winner? No.

Theres no excuse for them being in the squad let alone the team. SWP and Carragher, certainly. There's an arguement for Heskey to be there because of our lack of striking options.

I think the fact that WC represents last chance saloon for many of them isn't helping. Team selection has obviously been terrible, not to mention the lack of a genuine playmaker. There's no excuse for the likes of Heskey, SWP and Carragher to be in the team though, we have a lot better than that at our disposal.

But Lampard, Gerrard too? It's bizarre. These players have stepped up for their clubs at crucial moments. Yes, it is. But neither are 4-4-2 players.

I've said it loads on here, the reason the likes of Drogba are far superior players is that they rise under pressue, Rooney folds under it.

£60 on England not to qualify, returns £142.

In the second half he was absolutely terrible, terrible body language too.

Barry was f***ing hopeless. Carrick. I'd say Barry was our best player. The only one who looked composed and comfortable on the ball, and whose decision-making looked confident. Are you taking the piss? He gave the ball away more than anyone else.

Lets face it, when Lampard isn't in a team that's dominating possession he is an absolute passenger in the game. Only thing he really did today was shoot waywardly. He certainly shot our only real strike on target waywardly. He is a shoot on sight player. I think his 1 goal in 5 shots for Chelsea proves it. The fact he's made more chances for other players than anyone else in England for the last 3 seasons proves you're wrong.

Least of our problems

Lets face it, when Lampard isn't in a team that's dominating possession he is an absolute passenger in the game. Only thing he really did today was shoot waywardly. He certainly shot our only real strike on target waywardly.

It's a joke, Lampard spent most of the game in the opposing half. Similar to him at Chelsea when Ancelotti arrived, Ancelloti learnt, Capello hasn't. Doesn't help him or Gerrard and Rooney that there's absolutely nowt on the wings though. Shocking stuff from Lennon. And Capello is an absolute w***** for starting Heskey today.

Proven winner at just about every club he has been with. Good one. And can't get the best out of players who've dominated in Europe for years.

That's it, keep getting the digs in while you can. Rooney, Lennon and Gerrard were all worse.

Great, England fail because of an Italian.

Rooney has been absolutely terrible, never seen him play worse.

What?

That was terrible. Capello wants Heskey doing the donkey work for Rooney, yet it's Rooney constantly drifting out of position while Heskey stands there waiting for his next chance to foul or fall down.

Emile Heskey is an absolute disgrace.