Following England’s shocking European Championship qualifying goalless draw with Montenegro on Tuesday evening, the team have come in for another bout of stinging criticism.
Manager Fabio Capello cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines as the Three Lions huffed and puffed, but failed to blow a hole through the minnows’ defence.
The pessimists say it is simply not good enough, while the optimists believe there is reason to be cheerful.
With Michael Dawson, Jermain Defoe, John Terry, James Milner, Frank Lampard and Darren Bent missing from the stalemate, England were a bit thin on the ground.
The likes of Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard failed to sparkle and right-back Glen Johnson once again bore the brunt of the media’s wrath after what could only be described as a sombre display.
However, Capello has a big problem that will not be resolved over night.
The game was Johnson’s 13th consecutive start in competitive games, the longest run in the squad, but his performances have rarely justified his constant inclusion.
Although this is the growing concern, the Italian boss has little option but to throw the under-pressure Liverpool man in the team.
Unfortunately for England, there are no youngsters set to emerge out of the shadows and challenge Johnson.
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Manchester United defender Wes Brown has failed to live up to his reputation as a youngster and, at the age of 31, he has already called time on his England career and further limiting his nation’s options.
Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher is unlikely to be considered for any future squad after the disastrous World Cup finals in South Africa this summer, while Gary Neville’s time has gone.
Manchester City’s Micah Richards could be one to look out for this term.
Playing regularly alongside world-class stars, the 22-year-old, who has featured for the senior team on 11 occasions, is likely to be focused on in some detail as they look to plug the dearth of talent.
Citizens team-mate Nedum Onuoha, who is out on loan at Sunderland, is enjoying a prolonged spell of first-team football under Steve Bruce.
The steady defender is anther who could force his way into the reckoning, but with Nigeria sniffing around for his services, he may yet opt to represent the country of his birth.
But, with all the current attention firmly fixed to Johnson, Capello is likely to retain the faith, meaning England’s inadequacies will not be eradicated any time soon.
