England gave another dismal display in their goalless draw with Montenegro last week, raising more questions about Fabio Capello’s stewardship.
The Italian will bow out after the European Championships in 2012, with the FA having already promised that an Englishman will replace him.
However, one of the men tipped to take on the role, Harry Redknapp, has done his cause no good with a bizarre backing of a number of England under-performing so-called world stars.
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The midfield pairing of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard has failed to fire on the international stage seemingly since time began, but Redknapp still retains a blinkered belief that the duo can operate well together – forming a ‘golden triangle’ with Wayne Rooney.
Such a view is baffling to anyone unfortunate to have had to watch England’s performances in recent times, with both Lampard and Gerrard falling well short of the form they show week-in, week-out for their clubs.
The introduction of someone like James Milner has given the midfield a noticeable boost and with both Lamps and Stevie G the wrong side of 30, surely the time has come to look at other options.
Redknapp’s views on England’s defence are even more baffling, as the veteran Spurs boss claims that Capello has the best back four in the world at his disposal.
He told The Sun: “With Glen Johnson, along with Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Ashley Cole, I think we have the best back four in the world.
“Terry and Ferdinand are still the best two centre-halves and I wouldn’t swap our back four for any other defence in international football – and that even includes world champions Spain.”
For one with so many years in the game, it is worrying that Redknapp cannot see the obvious that Johnson is hopelessly inadequate at international level – unable to defend at all, while almost always wasting possession when he charges forward.
Oh for the days of Gary Neville!
Cole is lazily almost always referred to as the world’s best left-back, but when was the last time he shone for England? The attacking play which has been a feature of his club career is largely absent and England have not suffered when he has been absent.
That leaves Terry and Ferdinand – idolised in the Premier League, but nothing more than average for their country.
Terry’s form has been on the way down since he lost the captaincy due to his off-field misdemeanours, with Germany profiting from his loss of pace to end the World Cup finals nightmare for England.
Ferdinand, who has taken on the armband, is still prone to lapses which leave his team exposed and are almost always accompanied by an accusatory look at someone else as the man he was marking finds the net.
The Spanish quartet of Ramos, Puyol, Pique and Capdevila – Spain are sportsbook favourites to win Euro 2012 – have the edge in all respects and Redknapp’s cock-eyed patriotism will not help if he is given the England job.
All he can promise is more of the same disappointment and regret.
