Lineker went to Spain to see how they had turned around their own misfortunes.  It’s difficult to see how, now they are currently European & World Champions but before this latest wave of success, Spain had an even worse record than England for underachieving in the big competitions.

Comparisons were drawn to the way La Liga attracted some of the best players in the world in the 1980’s while ignoring the importance of nurturing home-grown Spanish talent.  Gary Lineker himself was a success at Barcelona, as was English manager Terry Venables; and though Spain have only conquered Europe and the rest of the world in the past four years, it was a revolution that allegedly started when Dutch maestro and former player, Johan Cruyff, returned to manage Barcelona in 1988.

Cruyff stated that the national side would be perennial underachievers if the top teams in La Liga continued looking to foreign players for short-term success. Cruyff’s model was to produce better quality indigenous players by a matter of inclusion and focus on a longer term strategy that started at grassroots and ended with national success.  This coupled with the fact that when boys are coached to play football at an early age, they should be learning the skill of playing with the ball, not simply competing to win.  A criticism levelled at English football.

Jurgen Klinsmann kick-started a German revolution after replacing Rudi Voller as manager of Germany in 2004.  Klinsmann initially attracted criticism from some quarters with some poor results leading up to the 2006 World Cup.  He had axed many aging stars and attempted to change the way Germany play.  He wanted Germany to be less rigid, offensive and less constrictive in their play.  For change to take place Klinsmann, like Cruyff at Barcelona, needed to think long term and have the backing of the German FA to see it through.

England wasn’t the only nation to have a poor World Cup in South Africa.  Italy and France had shockers too.  But England’s last and only glory was 44 years ago now; and the England crisis is far deeper than other nations.

While English Premier League teams continue to enjoy European Champions League success the England national team have become worse.  So, as Jose Mourinho said, look at the clubs that have done well in Europe over the past few years (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool & Manchester United) and count their English players.  That is definitely a factor in England’s demise.  But England was failing to qualify for the World Cup and European Championship finals long before the Premier League and English football was filled with top foreign players.

Another cause for England’s poor standing in European and world football is a more entrenched problem.  Boys are told to compete and win over learning to be skilful. I left secondary education in 1981 and I remember way back then we were being told the reason every Dutch football player looks so comfortable and skilful on the ball, is because he is; and England players hoof the ball around and get the ball into the opponents’ penalty area as quickly as possible because that’s what they are taught to do from an early age.

Italy and France relied on past glory and older players, and England juggled unrealistic hope and expectation once again.  All were found out in South Africa, while Spain and Germany, along with Holland, were the best and most exciting teams in the World Cup finals.

Tonight England host Montenegro in a Euro 2012 qualifying game at Wembley.  Look at their squad and ask yourself, how many of those players would get into the Spanish or German starting eleven?

Will England win the next World Cup?

The short answer to ‘will England win the next World Cup?’ is definitely not. Furthermore, they won’t win it again until these deep-rooted problems are addressed; and that can only be achieved with a long term plan and strategy in place. By appointing Sven Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello, the English FA has put its head in the sand and attempted to buy the World Cup in the same way as the Premier League buy the best players in the world. So, the only thing England fans can do right now is be grateful they’re not Scotland!

The likes of Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Fernando Torres and Lionel Messi failed to deliver on the biggest stage of all, though it’s worth noting the close attention Messi received that stopped him and that Torres was not match fit.  France, Italy and England above all other nations had a shocking World Cup and should all learn from Germany who gambled with a more youthful team.

The final was not a goal fest but I personally really enjoyed it.  Yes 4-3 would have been more exciting but apart from Holland’s bully-boy tactics, the match was brimming with attacking world class talent. Snyder, Robben and Van Persie for the Netherlands and Iniesta, Xavi and Villa for Spain.  The match was like a game of chess, each team attempting to outwit the opponent and building up play rather than toe-punting the ball around like headless English chickens.

As with each major football tournament where some players fail to deliver, a star or two are born.  Mezut Ouzil who apparently was courted by Manchester United before he signed to German club Werder Bremen in 2008 was as good as anyone in the 2010 World Cup and was unheard of outside Germany before the tournament began.  They will be lucky to hold on to him and resist the big money offers.  By contrast, David Villa had been touted as a world class striker for the past few seasons but he chose the World Cup stage to deliver.  No doubt Barcelona was very pleased to complete the signing before he scored five goals to share the Golden Boot.

I was surprised to see both Argentina and Brazil lose to Germany and Holland respectively at the quarter-final stage and am sure both countries will do better and be led by new managers at the next World Cup which is to be held in Brazil.

So by way of a 2010 South Africa World Cup roundup, here are a few awards:

My favourite goal of the World Cup was Giovanni Van Bronckhorst long range thunderbolt for Holland against Uruguay.

Best players of the tournament: David Villa, Diego Forlan, Wes Snyder, Mezut Ouzil & Andres Iniesta

Most surprising team performance: Ghana & Germany

Most underused commentary: “that was a great touch by Wayne Rooney”

Best team: Spain

And finally, here’s my 2010 World Cup XI

Goalkeeper: Castillas (Spain)

Defenders: Lahm (Germany), Lucio (Brazil), Puyol (Spain), Van Bronckhorst (Holland)

Midfield: Van Bommel (Holland), Ouzil (Germany), Iniesta (Spain), Snyder (Holland)

Forwards: Villa (Spain), Suarez (Uruguay), Robben (Holland)

This morning in stark contrast to the 1990 World Cup squad, the England team arrived at Heathrow and were taken away in blacked out taxis.  There was no fanfare, no flag waving, no vuvuzelas, and absolutely no cheering fans to welcome back our so-called ‘golden generation’.

England’s impeccable results in qualifying for the 2010 South Africa World Cup finals was impressive and heightened any expectations of how well England would fare.  And it wasn’t only madmen and their dogs that were blowing vuvuzela-style trumpets suggesting England could actually win the 2010 World Cup.  Respectable members of the media were serious in their support that England had a very good chance to show the world how to play football.

Not only did England fail to win the World Cup again, they were absolutely appalling in the process.  Four games, two goals and one player out of 23 that can honestly say he didn’t play shit!

Put it this way, if I had been asked as a Premier League football team scout to report on the England players I would have said only Ashley Cole was worth signing.  The others have absolutely no chance of making a dent in Blackpool’s squad.

So, what went wrong?  Whether it comes out that Fabio Capello’s strict regime that worked so well in the qualifying games and appeared to bring the superstars back down to earth, was not appropriate for a group of players on tour with egos as big and as soft as ostrich eggs; or the players are just not good enough will I’m sure be aired over the next few weeks.

What is clear is that when the pressure is on in a tournament situation, especially when England play teams with equal or better football ability they result to panicking, squabbling, selfish play and dysfunctional hoofing of the ball.

When Fabio Capello became England manager he inherited a squad of players that were picked on their names and reputations rather than their current form and ability.  Capello said no players were guaranteed a place in his England squad; and only fit players that were playing regularly and in form would be chosen to play for England.  Fabio Capello also put an end to sloppy dressing and bad manners.  Flip flops were banned, as were games consoles and leaving the dinner table before everyone had finished.

This, we all agreed was exactly what these overpaid prima donnas needed; and moreover it appeared to be working.  So why, just weeks before the 2010 South Africa World Cup did Fabio Capello coax Jamie Carragher out of international retirement after a poor season with Liverpool, and allegedly guarantee a place in the final 23 man squad to a virtual cripple, only for him to get injured after 30 minutes!?

Furthermore, why did he include three players in the initial 30 man squad that had an excellent Premier League season – Adam Johnson, Scott Parker and Michael Dawson – only to leave them out of the final squad, without even playing two of them?

I’m fully aware that England strikers praise Emille Heskey but hew-haw hee-haw hee always plays like a donkey; and Capello picked him even though Martin O’Neill doesn’t feel he’s good enough to be a first-team regular for Aston Villa.

The FA have said they will take two weeks to consider whether Fabio Capello should remain England manager or they should cut their losses and admit this was another expensive disaster.

So, if the FA sacked Fabio Capello who is there that is able to take England further than Capello and Sven Goran Erikkson before him? (Let’s just completely forget about the wally with a brolly!)

The usual suspects are going to line-up when the media backs the cry for an Englishman.  Harry Redknapp will allow the team to pick itself again and does anyone honestly want Sam Allardyce’s  toe-punting hit and run style of football?  I don’t think so.  So if not Capello, who is there?

Personally I would like Fabio Capello to continue at the helm unless the FA can lure the only man I think that could win the World Cup as England manager – Guus Hiddink.   If Hiddink doesn’t want the job then tell Capello to go for youth rather than celebrity status millionaires; and have a clause added to his contract – no invalids, no old has-beens, no playing players out of position, and no flare players without flare – all for one and one for all!

There wasn’t one specific reason for the change in attitude, but it was a culmination of many reasons. James Milner was included at the expense of the ineffective Aaron Lennon which showed that just having pace isn’t enough to succeed at this level.

Milner provided an outstanding assist for Jermain Defoe’s goal which was followed by another sumptuous cross which was inches away from going in. Milner persevered by giving 100% through tracking back and producing a series of outstanding long passes to provide Defoe and co the opportunities to attack. Despite Milner not being the most technically gifted in our squad, he is vital to our chance of winning.

Jermain Defoe’s inclusion over Emille Heskey was the correct decision without a doubt. He provided a different outlet for Wayne Rooney and most significantly injected some needed pace. It was well noted throughout the BBC’s commentary that Defoe didn’t have any touches of the ball before the goal.

However as proven with Heskey, it’s not about how many touches you have, it’s what you do with it which matters. Sadly for Heskey, he hasn’t brought the best out of Rooney in this World Cup and Defoe has justified a starting place for the 2nd round tie. The 2nd round match wouldn’t be possible if it wouldn’t have been for the lion hearts who graced our defence.

David James wasn’t required to make any outstanding but kept his concentration with an album of routine saves which Robert Green may have let through. James has shown that it doesn’t matter how old you are, it’s the ability and the capabilities which you should be picked on and not their age. He should and will remain our number one for the continuation of our reign in this competition.

John Terry proved that even though you have indiscretions in your personal life, you can still perform to your top potential. He did this through placing his body, quite literally, on the line when needed.

Despite his controversial press conference on Sunday, he marshalled the defence brilliantly. He said what he said, Capello criticised him for it and you know what, he played like he does for Chelsea whilst posing a potent threat from set pieces. This was the theme throughout the game.

Every single player who is usually outstanding for their club, were outstanding for England. Players like John Terry, Ashley Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, James Milner and Jermain Defoe all lived up to their potential.

The argument may rage on about John Terry being unfairly stripped of the captaincy but he is still our captain on the pitch, the difference is he isn’t wearing an armband.

The replacement for the suspended Jamie Carragher was a topic which wasn’t really discussed in much detail. Fabio Capello chose Matthew Upson over Michael Dawson which was a bold decision as Upson has no pace and is prone to a regular mistake. This was proven when he gave away a few sloppy passes in the first half. On the other hand, he justified his inclusion with a match saving tackle in the penalty area when Slovenia barricaded our penalty area with consecutive shots.

The midfield seemed to have a better balance to it thanks to the selection of the industrious and outstanding crosser of the ball, James Milner. This helped Wayne Rooney despite him still not being at his best.

There were glimpses of the Rooney that we have become used to with him running at defences but he still seemed reluctant to shoot from distance.

This should be put down to him not being match fit and not being outlandishly confident. Ironically this was his best performance and Capello took him off when he remained with him in the two previous dire showings.

The difference today was we were winning and he could take a risk. This showed Capello’s courage in taking one of our marquee players, the best is yet to come from him.

Capello silenced his critics and showed something more than passion on the sidelines. He showed his undeniable love for football and passion for our cause. His tactics were spot on in every department. He picked the correct players and let them express themselves. This is why the FA pay him £6million a year, to guide us through difficult stages of tournaments and to put some of the egos in the side in their place. I was wrong about what I said about him not being up to it. Four more gritty performances presided over by Capello would see him become a national treasure.

We’re through to the 2nd round, that’s good. We need to build on this now. Who cares whether we play Germany or not. We don’t fear them, we don’t fear anyone. We only beat them a year ago which shows our confidence against them. This is a different England.

We’ve struggled through the group stage, but the best teams usually start slowly. Under the passive Sven Goran Erikkson we always cruised through the group stages but that got us nowhere. Under Capello we’re different and we’ll grind out results if we have to.

A shock 1-0 defeat to Switzerland sees Spain being the only seeded team to lose their opening match, though Italy and England gave less than convincing performances in their 1-1 draws with Paraguay and the USA respectively.

Brazil spluttered past North Korea while Argentina made hard work of beating Nigeria 1-0; and the most boring game of the six days so far was most definitely Ivory Coast 0 Portugal 0.

Nobody fancied Germany before they kicked off.  But after a 4-0 thrashing of Australia they are the only team that have decided to go for it from the outset.  Never one to dismiss Germany, I was pleasantly surprised in how they played ‘the beautiful game’ instead of offering a methodical utilitarian approach to winning a match.

So with South Africa beginning the second round of matches tonight, against Uruguay, they have the chance to top Group 1 and possibly seal their place in the knock-out stages.

In a pre-World Cup Finals article I suggested the following nations would qualify from each group:

Group A: Mexico to win, South Africa – runners-up
Group B: Argentina to win, Nigeria – runners-up
Group C: England to win, USA – runners-up
Group D: Germany to win, Serbia – runners-up
Group E: Holland to win, Denmark – runners-up
Group F: Italy to win, Paraguay – runners-up
Group G: Brazil to win, Ivory Coast – runners- up
Group H: Spain to win, Chile – runners-up

I am sticking by my original predictions though Spain are going to have to have a plan b if they are going to progress.

One Night In Turin - 1990 World Cup - DVD

As England prepare for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, I can still remember the 1990 World Cup as if it was yesterday. It started with holders Argentina’s shock defeat to Cameroon and, for England, ended in Turin with Paul ‘Gazza’ Gascoigne’s tears.

One Night In Turin is based on the football book, All Played Out by Pete Davies and tells the story of England’s 1990 World Cup.

Narrated by Gary Oldman One Night in Turin documents how the media slated Bobby Robson and the England team before they left Italy and how they forced Bobby Robson out of his job as England coach.

The campaign started with a very scrappy draw against Jack Charlton’s Ireland side.  The ball got toe-punted around and headless chickens were either tackled or fouled in a game worth forgetting.  But then England, and more the point Gazza began to play exciting, attacking football.

Over the course of six weeks, led by the reinvigorated Bobby Robson and the midfield wizardry of Paul Gascoigne, this England team even overcome a very good Holland team, to reach a semi-final in Turin – the home of Juventus, and the place in Europe that has the most reason to hate the English after the Heysel disaster of 1985 – where they pitched against their old enemy, Germany.

One Night in Turin is constructed from unseen archive footage and specially shot imagery by Sundance award-winning cinematographer Lol Crawley. Set to a soundtrack includes the Stone Roses, The Charlatans, Happy Mondays and Pavarotti.

Following another exit on penalties courtesy of misses by Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle, Germany went onto play Argentina in the most boring, uneventful World Cup final ever; and Bobby Robson was replaced by a turnip.  Robson managed to galvanize a strong England team and reach the semi-final of a major competition, something no other manager has achieved before or after on foreign soil. I still believe Bobby Robson was the best England, and Gazza the most natural gifted player England has ever produced; and One Night in Turin captures the dreams, the pain and the times evoked by the 1990 World Cup finals, perfectly.

Enke who played for Hanover 96 in the Bundesliga, where he was awarded goalkeeper of the season 2008/9, had played at some of the top clubs in Europe through his career, including Benfica, Barcelona and Brussia Monchengladbach.

The 32 year old had recently become the first choice goalkeeper for his country and was expected to feature for Germany in the World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

In 2006 Enke had to deal with the loss of his two year old daughter Lara, who died from a rare heart condition. He and his wife had recently adopted another child.

This too was a friendly match, but as friendly matches go, it was very competitive, full of exciting, flowing football which was not interrupted by the commonly overused substitution policy.  For ‘friendly’ read a game between two teams not wishing to lose but playing only for pride, not a cup.

Whether Fabio Capello would have played the same team, if the likes of Gerrard, Rooney, Joe and Ashley Cole were available is irrelevant now.  But what is worth mentioning is that England fielded a younger team full of passion, skill and speed; a combination of which was too much for a slow Germany side that is nowhere near as good as their FIFA ranking suggests.  (Current FIFA World Ratings: Germany 2nd, England 10th)

It was not only a good overall performance by England, but the win was essential, as it keeps the momentum and confidence of the England team, revitalised by Fabio Capello, moving forward towards the World Cup in South Africa, in 2010.

England dominated the game, mainly due to excellent performances from Michael Carrick and Gareth Barry who bossed the midfield, guarded the England defence, and broke up any play that Germany attempted to build on.

The best part of the game was to see how England coped under pressure.  There was only a few minutes of sustained pressure from Germany shortly after they had equalised, and for a minute or two I thought England were going to revert back to old ways.  Germany penned England well into their own half and on three or four occassions all that England were doing, as they kept a solid wall of defence, was hoofing it up field, in some cases nowhere near Darren Bent the loan striker at that point.  So the ball kept coming back.

It only lasted a few minutes before England regrouped and without a panic began to play their way out of their own half, and again take control of the game.  This was the main positive for me.

Fabio Capello appears to have installed into the players the same winning mentality as they have when playing for their club sides – stay focused and believe you will score again.  And they did.  John Terry scored the winner with only minutes to go with a towering header to rectify the awful mistake he had made earlier in the second half when attempting to shield the ball back to substitute goalkeeper Scott Carson, when he had time to defend the ball.

I never thought I would say this but, Stewart Downing had a great game on the left wing (at last!) while Shaun Wright-Phillips and Gabriel Agbonlahor looked relaxed and in confident mood. But Darren Bent still needs to convince me that he can make the step up to play under pressure for England.  I’m afraid he is going to join top Premiership strikers of the past such as Robbie Fowler, Andy Cole and Ian Wright in not being able to relax and play everytime he dons the three lions shirt.

We have at least two months now for Fabio Capello to consider his next squad.  But I would love it (as much as Kevin Keegan) if he were to give a few of the “regulars” a kick up the arse by keeping some of the players that performed yesterday in the next Engalnd team.

Wayne Rooney & Rio Ferdinand both missed Manchester United’s game against Stoke on Saturday through injury, and joined the list of others that were ruled out of Fabio Capello’s choice before the weekend fixtures, including Wes Brown, Joe Cole & Ashley Cole.

John Terry was substituted a few minutes before the final whistle against West Brom on Saturday, in a 3-0 nil win, with a problem to his right foot; and LIverpool’s Steven Gerrard played a full 90 minutes, showing no signs of injury but was ruled out of the squad when a post-match medical revealed he had a torn muscle in his leg which would take 7-10 days to revcover from – just in time for Liverpool’s next Premier League match at home to Fulham.

Manchester City’s goalkeeper, Joe Hart was substituted in the Sunday 2-2 draw with Hull City and has also been ruled out.  He is replaced by Blackburn & England’s former number one, Paul Robinson.

Most ominous of all those being named in the squad only to receive an ‘injury’ over the weekend is Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard because he wasn’t substituted during the game, showed no discomfort during the match, and is only expected to be out while Liverpool aren’t playing competitive matches.

Adding fuel to the ‘club versus country’ fire, in an unprecedented move, Fabio Capello has said he will make his own decision whether John Terry & Steven Gerrard are fit to play for England against Germany once they have been assessed by the England medical team.

England friendly injuries have increased over the past few years, but I’m suprised if any of the injuries are not valid as Fabio Capello has already made it clear that players need to earn their place in the England team, and part of that is complete respect for Capello and his way of doing things.

As Rio Ferdinand said, the England regime is stricter under Mr Capello and he has made it clear to them, it is “his way or the highway”.

But instead of just believing every player should be proud to play for their country, even in meaningless friendlies, consider the cost of injury to a top player while playing for England.  Newcastle know only too well the cost of paying a large sum of money for a star player, Michael Owen, only to watch him receive a lengthy injury while playing for England.

The money now involved in the Premiership and the cost of missing out on a Champions League place is enormous.  Therefore, is it really a surprise LIverpool may possibly be making more of Steven Gerrard’s injury than if Liverpool were playing in the Champions League this week?

Furthermore, his Liverpool team-mate, Robbie Keane has also surprisingly picked up a knock and will miss the game for Ireland!

If I was the owner of a Premier League team I would rather it be written in my players contract that the club will make a decision whether to release him for international friendlies and other meaningless games; and fight a campaign against the FA to say if the player is under contract they do not have a right to over-rule the club.

Look at Aston Villa, a great 2-0 victory against Arsenal at The Emirates on Saturday.  Aston Villa are now joint 4th place, and look the most likely of all the chasing pack to actually break into the top four this season and win the club a huge amount of money by gaining entry into the prestigious Champions League.

But Aston Villa have several players on call for their countries this week including Ashley Young, Gareth Barry & Gabriel Agbonlahor for England.  Gabriel Agbonlahor is vital to Aston Villa’s success, yet a player who has already missed vital games for his club and country through injury.  Imagine all three of these players received injuries while playing for England.  How would that affect Aston Villa’s chances of having to play 100% every week to keep up with the big four?

The Premier League is now so full of riches that I think there needs to be a sensible debate as to whether England & the FA have the right to call up players for mid-season friendlies, so clubs can be more honest about the true extent of any so-called ‘injuries’.

Fabio Capello named Macienne, an Under 21 player, despite the fact that the youngster has yet to make a first team appearance for Chelsea, he is currently on loan with Championship leaders Wolves.

Other as yet uncapped players to join what appears to be a very experimental squad are Aston Villa players, Curtis Davies and Gabriel Agbonlahor. Villa also have Gareth Barry and Ashley Young included in a squad that is missing many of the regulars.

The full squad:

Carson, Hart, James, Bridge, Davies, Johnson, Terry, Lesscott, Mancienne, Richards, Upson, Barry, Carrick, Downing, Lampard, Gerrard, Wright-Phillips, A.Young, Agbonlahor, Bent, Crouch, Defoe, Walcott.