England’s solution is clear – get rid of the kryptonite

Has anyone seen this individual? Last sighted en route to South Africa

England 0 Algeria 0

England have played two games and have lost both of them. Not in terms of points, obviously – they have drawn against the United States and Algeria, but they have been defeated by fear on both occasions. There is an alarming lack of belief and energy. Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney, in particular, stumbled their ways through the match.

Franz Beckenbauer and Johann Cruyff will feel vindicated in the their criticism of the England team this week and for the fans? Well, they have once again lamented and lambasted the squad. Not even the so called saviour of England, Fabio Capello, is safe from the finger of blame that will be bandied around until the Slovenia match on Wednesday.

In the five days until that match Capello has a lot of work to do. Last night was a flat footed performance against an Algeria team that has lost its last five games and only scored once, which was from the penalty spot. The only thing worse than Algeria’s form is their midfielder, Hassan Yebda’s haircut.

As soon as the players put the England shirts on their club form seems to disappear. The three lions are England’s kryptonite, rendering the team useless and hopeless. Weak, bumbling, spluttering, woeful, clueless. How can a squad of players show so much ineptitude?

The sooner Capello pushes Steven Gerrard up behind Rooney the quicker England will soon realise their potential and break free from the manacles of their anxiety. Capello used all of his attacking options to no avail. Emile Heskey’s evening was summed up by when he attempted a trick and ended up on the floor with the ball going well wide of the goal. Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch, meanwhile, had very little time to make an impact and added nothing to England’s potency.

England were confined to the rigidity of Capello’s 4-4-2 formation and there was no energy or shape.

The first 20 minutes were extremely nervy for the England defence, which was encapsulated by a weak punch from David James, replacement to the vilified Robert Green in goal. Capello was ruthless in his decision to drop Green. One wonders how many more changes he could make for the Slovenia game.

England’s ambition was tempered by slackness in possession early on, with Heskey and surprisingly Lampard gifting the ball to the Algerians. There have been a lot of questions concerning the competency of the Jabulani but there could be no excuses for how poor England were when distributing the ball.

Algeria had begun in 3-4-2-1 formation, with Nadir Belhadj and Kadir operating as wing-backs stretching England and supporting a fluid front three of the excellent Karim Ziani, Boudebouz and Karim Matmour.

Ranked 30thin the world to England’s eight, Algeria were quick to press and showed far more flair and invention than England. Capello was beside himself with anger at times, shouting “come on, come on’’ and gesticulating wildly as moves broke down.

Ziani was always brimming with positive intent, being a menace on Algeria’s left wing. The Wolfsburg forward’s best contribution was when his pass was met by a neat flick from Yebda, whose header failed to trouble James. England’s No 1, now living up to his shirt number, then made a good catch under pressure.

Such was the lack of English threat on Algeria’s goal that a bird settled on the stanchion, admiring the view, even changing ends at the interval. The second half came and it was the same story although Gerrard did show signs of the performance he put in against the United States. Seeing Rooney down the inside-left channel, Gerrard found the Manchester United striker, and collected the return but could not beat Algeria’s goalkeeper, Rais M Bolhi.

Gerrard was playing on the left but only he and indeed England looked affective when he drifted into the middle.

There was a spell when England were promising to move out of second gear and Aaron Lennon lifted in a cross which Rafik Halliche headed out. Lampard’s low shot was well held by M Bolhi, although the Algerians screamed that the Chelsea midfielder had handled.

England had the ball but the bird did not need to move and even had a little wander around the six-yard box. It only took evasive action when Barry had a shot, surprising the bird, if not Bolhi.

Rooney looked out of sorts, a mere shadow of the man who has played so well for Manchester United this year and indeed for England in the qualifiers. Capello will have to solve the puzzle that is England’s attacking line-up. Lampard, a non-entity should be dropped to allow Gerrard to play in a more central position and draft Joe Cole, who will offer more creativity, on the left.

One change Capello will certainly make is in central defence for Jamie Carragher picked up his second yellow card of the tournament, meaning Matthew Upson or Michael Dawson must partner John Terry against Slovenia.

As the game reached its latter stages England’s fear was still apparent. Terry, uncharacteristically, hit a woeful back-pass, which nearly let the Algerians in but James dealt with it. Too many players had the first touch similar to that of an inebriated rhinoceros. It was as if the team were playing with the weight of the nation on their shoulders; lumbering and spluttering around the field.

England must get rid of the kryptonite to lift the weight of expectation and play with the freedom they are used to. Perhaps the solution is to stop wearing the England shirt and for each player to wear their respective club colours. Just a thought: at this stage England must be prepared to try anything for if they don’t this time next week England’s time in South Africa could well be over.