Motivation certainly is a factor and there are/have been several managers over the years that have been able to motivate players extremely well. Steve McClaren doesn't appear to be one of them. But how do you motivate multi-millionaires? Players today are far too wealthy. There's something wrong when a player making 50,000 a week can sit on the bench week in and week out.

That aside I think that the problem with the England team runs deeper than that. I have watched them play many times over the years and this current team ironically touted be the best side in years to my mind is the worst I've seen for some time. In games against so-called lesser teams there seems to be a nervyness about England, no cut and thrust. It seems like for many the ball is a hot potatoe just get rid of it. That way you don't get caught in position and be raked over the coals by the press next morning. As I said earlier there doesn't seem to be a midfield playmaker nor any sort of leadership figure on the field. Smaller countries don't fear England any more. Andorra must feel that they are in with a shot and who would have thoght that just a few years ago.