Expert Blogs

Against the Americans, England were below their best. Against Algeria, they were shambolic. 

If England had spent half the time and energy they did arguing with each other on mounting a meaningful attack against the North Africans, Fabio Capello's team would have one foot in the round of 16.  

Huge credit to the Algerians for their heroic defending and their non-stop work rate, but this was an England team so poor it was barely recognizable from the one which breezed through World Cup qualifying.  

Forget David James and the goalkeeping debate. Capello has far bigger issues to deal with as he surveys the wreckage of this wretched performance. There are no excuses - only questions without answers and they all begin with "Why?" 

Why was the captain shunted out to the fringes of the flanks? Why didn't Aaron Lennon run at defenders? Why was Wayne Rooney so ineffectual for the second game running? Why was there such a lack of urgency in a game which meant so much? 

I have invested 40 years of emotional commitment in this team. Is this what I get in return? It is time England's pampered superstars stopped trotting around with a sense of entitlement and started working hard as we know they can. 

I'm not asking for anything out of the ordinary. All these players, every single one, are talented individuals who showcase their skills week in, week out in the English Premier League. They are all capable of so much more and this is the zenith of their careers. 

These are highly experienced professionals who understand pressure comes with the job. On this evidence they are not responding to the pressure. There is a timidity about them - apparently more concerned with making a mistake than imposing their collective presence. 

Worry and frustration was written across their faces. It was as though they were more concerned about being slaughtered by the British media than writing their own positive headlines.

As an England fan, I am used to dealing with disappointment. But I will not accept the unacceptable. 

Capello has much to do and much to ponder. The England management team needs to start earning its recently extended contracts and get its players on the same page. The Italian was clearly furious with the performance but must now move on. Quickly. 

He must rally the troops and make them believe they are among the world's elite. Capello has five days to repair the damage, restore confidence and produce a winning team. The World Cup's tiniest nation - Slovenia - suddenly looks like a well-oiled machine which knows a draw will suffice. 

Indeed, the Slovenians will be kicking themselves after surrendering a two goal lead to the USA. The Americans only shook themselves into action once they were chasing the game. For the first 45 minutes they were as poor as England were for 90. 

We learned Slovenia is ready to take the game to any opponent and that the Americans have spirit and a genuine belief there is no such thing as a lost cause. Based on what we've witnessed, it is entirely possible to envisage a scenario where Slovenia and Algeria advance to the knock out stages. 

This World Cup continues to bang us over the head with shock results. The Germans, seemingly imperious in their rout of the sad Socceroos, were made to look entirely ordinary by the hard working, disciplined Serbs. Granted, the referee didn't help but Miroslav Klose should know better. 

A week into the tournament, the only thing predictable, with any certainty, is its unpredictability. Other than the French are toast. Few will mourn the passing of Les Miserables.