So we hurtle towards another World Cup qualification campaign, with yet another new leader at the helm - already the decisions are being scrutinised and I have to say that the Czech Republic team and performance didn't fill me with confidence.
So simply put, what is England's problem and how can it be fixed?
First of all, we the fans need to screw our heads on and realise that currently the England team is nowhere near the top of football and that we do not have any right to consider ourself a major player on the world stage - although in club football we are at the apex of it.
So lets break this down, and we need to because the problem is a deep rooted one.
Firstly it is clear that the FA is run by people who don't have a clue. We need to get some real football brains in Soho Square, instead of the usual government fat cats who are boning secretaries and living off backhanders.
Next is the pressure from the media, specifically the tabloid press. Every time we squeak through to a finals, the media is immediately ramping up the old "x years of hurt will come to an end"
Instead of living vicariously off the memory of 1966, perhaps we should have charged ourself long ago with saying "so why aren't we winning now?"
The continued callups of "Big names" like Lampard and Beckham, even though for the former - he has never achieved his Chelsea form for England, and Beckham is fading, shining his dim light over a poor league.
I don't know if you've looked, but England has some fantastic talent out there - Agbonlahor, Young, Walcott, Richards, Wright Phillips etc. Yet in the last match Capello took Steven Gerrard (widely regarded as a world class central midfielder) and played him on the left - which was to allow a woeful Lampard to play in the middle. Joe Cole, one of the best left sided midfielders in the world was on the bench - while Young and Agbonlahor were in the U21's!
Wayne Rooney is played out of position and why the hell is Emile Heskey getting yet another shot?
It seems to me that there are influences demanding that these big names play - is that the media or the sponsors? Either way I don't think Fabio Capello is the kind of guy to pick sub par performers on reputation alone (Look at Beckham's last season at Madrid)
So come on, who would you play / pick for England?
GK: Until Ben Foster gets games and fitness, It has to be James. He can still make a ricket or two - but he is an excellent shot stopper on his day.
RB: Not a glamorous choice this but I'd stick with Wes Brown, his recent club form has been excellent.
CB's Has to be Rio Ferdinand, partnered with John Terry.
LB: Ashley Cole is still a brilliant left back, so I'd stick with him.
LW: Joe Cole - a box of tricks and seems to haver got better over the last couple of years.
CM Partnership: It's bye-bye Frank as I'd go with my Captain Steven Gerrard and Owen Hargreaves - these two compliment each other - Hargreaves ensures the back four have protection while Lampard and Gerrard just get in each other's way. With current injuries - Jimmy Bullard is a good addition.
RW: Sorry Becks - but I think it's time for Shaun Wright Phillips or David Bentley. I'd probably give the edge to Bentley though.
SS: Wayne Rooney, playing in the hole and using his excellent vision to pick out my new England striker Gabby Agbonlahor.
So simply put, what is England's problem and how can it be fixed?
First of all, we the fans need to screw our heads on and realise that currently the England team is nowhere near the top of football and that we do not have any right to consider ourself a major player on the world stage - although in club football we are at the apex of it.
So lets break this down, and we need to because the problem is a deep rooted one.
Firstly it is clear that the FA is run by people who don't have a clue. We need to get some real football brains in Soho Square, instead of the usual government fat cats who are boning secretaries and living off backhanders.
Next is the pressure from the media, specifically the tabloid press. Every time we squeak through to a finals, the media is immediately ramping up the old "x years of hurt will come to an end"
Instead of living vicariously off the memory of 1966, perhaps we should have charged ourself long ago with saying "so why aren't we winning now?"
The continued callups of "Big names" like Lampard and Beckham, even though for the former - he has never achieved his Chelsea form for England, and Beckham is fading, shining his dim light over a poor league.
I don't know if you've looked, but England has some fantastic talent out there - Agbonlahor, Young, Walcott, Richards, Wright Phillips etc. Yet in the last match Capello took Steven Gerrard (widely regarded as a world class central midfielder) and played him on the left - which was to allow a woeful Lampard to play in the middle. Joe Cole, one of the best left sided midfielders in the world was on the bench - while Young and Agbonlahor were in the U21's!
Wayne Rooney is played out of position and why the hell is Emile Heskey getting yet another shot?
It seems to me that there are influences demanding that these big names play - is that the media or the sponsors? Either way I don't think Fabio Capello is the kind of guy to pick sub par performers on reputation alone (Look at Beckham's last season at Madrid)
So come on, who would you play / pick for England?
GK: Until Ben Foster gets games and fitness, It has to be James. He can still make a ricket or two - but he is an excellent shot stopper on his day.
RB: Not a glamorous choice this but I'd stick with Wes Brown, his recent club form has been excellent.
CB's Has to be Rio Ferdinand, partnered with John Terry.
LB: Ashley Cole is still a brilliant left back, so I'd stick with him.
LW: Joe Cole - a box of tricks and seems to haver got better over the last couple of years.
CM Partnership: It's bye-bye Frank as I'd go with my Captain Steven Gerrard and Owen Hargreaves - these two compliment each other - Hargreaves ensures the back four have protection while Lampard and Gerrard just get in each other's way. With current injuries - Jimmy Bullard is a good addition.
RW: Sorry Becks - but I think it's time for Shaun Wright Phillips or David Bentley. I'd probably give the edge to Bentley though.
SS: Wayne Rooney, playing in the hole and using his excellent vision to pick out my new England striker Gabby Agbonlahor.
