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England all but secured their place in Euro 2012 after a laboured 1-0 win over Wales at Wembley in a display which raised more questions than answers.
New Wembley, same old s*** is the feeling coming out of the press and the mouth of pundits everywhere after a poor showing on Tuesday night from the Three Lions.
The fourth best team in the world (well, according to the FIFA rankings that is) failed to adequately hold on to possession of the ball, looked suspect at the back, created few chances against very average opposition and but for a shockingly bad miss from Robert Earnshaw could have been left embarrassed at a barely packed Wembley.
As for the in-form Wayne Rooney? He was left stranded upfront, all alone with very little service to feed from in a rather rigid formation.
Wales Deserved a Point
Wales in fact were the better side for much of the contest and minus a significant lack in all round quality, could have emerged from the home of football with a point – maybe even all three.
Certainly the spirit, drive, commitment and team unity witnessed by the visitors outshone anything the hosts mustered up.
Of course the most important thing coming out of the clash was a very healthy 3 points and solace in the fact that Fabio Capello’s men need only a solitary point in the last remaining matches to seal their place in next summer’s Championships.
Admittedly, Stewart Downing and Ashley Young looked lively on the flanks with the former Aston Villa pair combining well to set up the winner in the 35th minute.
Likewise, Joe Hart between the England sticks looked every bit the top-class goalie the nation knows he is despite being hampered by an often indecisive set of defenders in front of him.
England Must Improve
On a night when all the other big hitters – namely the Netherlands (who beat Finland 2-0), Spain (who beat Liechtenstein 6-0) and Italy (who beat Slovenia 1-0) all secured their passage into next summers finals, the Three Lions will know they have to improve – and quickly – if they are to avoid the archetypal heartache so accustomed to at a major tournament.
Capello ought to read In The Stands’ magic ‘5 Tips For Fabio Capello’ piece before he embarks on his journey of turning the nearly men in the white shirts, into European (and world) beaters.
Go on Fabio, you know you want to. Plus our advice is free!
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