hi

I agree with most of the comments posted here about England's sorry performance last night. They were dreadful.

However there is something seriously wrong here - a team does not become a bad team overnight nor do worldclass players either.

I have watched Wayne Rooney since he was a young boy and I have never ever see him play when he didn't appear to be interested in the game. Last night he just did not try. Normally when the team is not doing well he chases around everywhere trying to inject enthusiasm ( occasionally he overdoes this !!!) Last night he just did not get involved and he was missing out on balls that were 70-30 in his favour. That is NOT the Wayne Rooney that I know. He is either injured and playing when he shouldn't or there is something awry in the camp. This would explain why so many other players eg Gerrard,Lampard,Cole Terry etc all had bad games.

Perhaps they don't agree with the way they are being asked to play.

If you look at the body language of both the players and the staff there is obvious tension there.

Having played the way we have we don't really deserve to be in a postion where we can still qualify with one good result.

A "normal" England team are more than capable of beating Slovenia easily and would be normally expected to do so. Indeed they did beat them a few months ago !!

The issue here is one that is much more simple than the alternatives proffered above.

If England beat Slovenia they qualify...end of story.

That is the thought that England must take into the game.

Capello must select a team and a strategy that will enable this to happen. eg if Rooney is injured or not fit we can't play him. Play Defoe and Crouch. Joe Cole has talent to set up the play for them....he must be given a chance now.

cheers

MikeL2