Your team's worst ever performance

If I was the Manager I would make an example of Wayne Rooney, put him on a flight home, absolutely pitiful. He is clearly not passionate about playing for England and like almost all of the rest of the players they should hang there heads in shame. Hearing comments like it is the Managers fault- yes he is ultimately accountable but for 11 players to stand around and watch Algeria run around them, is a disgrace to England !!!
Just send them home and make everyone of those "playing" last night refund all of the money the fans spent on traveling to Africa, maybe it is only money that they care about anyway.

Finally as for Gerrard as captain -my dog could do a better job-
Well thats got that off my chest - well almost - please can someone tell me why they can't sing the National Anthem, just to show that just maybe they are proud to represent there country !

Have to agree with "barneyaprilla" about Gerrard as Captain, he's in the worst form of his carrer & and doesn't have the confidence at this time to motivate himself, let alone a stuttering England side! Swallow your pride Capello, give the armband back to JT! He's the only man that can lead.

In all my years of supporting England, I have to say that last night was easily the worst ever performance I've seen. Not the worst ever result thankfully but it was truly turgid stuff to watch. No heart, no desire, no commitment...the list of 'no's' is endless. You only have to look at the way the team sings the National Anthem to see why things are going badly wrong. Of the whole team last night, only David James and John Terry sang it with any gusto and pride. The rest either mumbled it ashamedly or didn't even bother to sing (Rooney and Lennon). Watch Italy's team sing their anthem tomorrow to see how it should be done. The England team are, with one or two exceptions, a spoilt, passionless, frightened bunch of losers and as an Englishman I was embarrassed to see them 'represent' my country last night.

In Scotland you can buy ABE (Anyone But England) teeshirts to wear for the world cup. Well, what else would you expect from the Scots? However, it was certainly a surprise to see this same logo in the shirt of one of the Japanese players during a game.

Well done Japan for their sense of humour :)

..so...last week the question was should James start in goal...now it's should James start up front!!

I watched the England v Algeria game on TV and had plenty of time to think about it as I also worked a quiet night shift afterwards giving me plenty of time to ponder this debacle.
Im' 52 years old and still remember as an 8 year old the excitement of the 1966 World Cup final and how great the Englland team were at the time. What struck me then (and since watching replays of the event) is how hard the whole team grafted for themselves, for each other and indeed for their country.
After much thought, after partially recovering from numbness and disbelief at England's performance against Algeria I can only look on it as a disgrace. The players had no pride in themselves, their team mates, their manager or their fellow countrymen, many of whom aren't on £150,000 a week and sacrificed a great deal to follow their idols, it makes me ashamed to be English at the moment.
They had no heart, continually conceded possession (especially Rooney who probably survived substitution on the back of his reputation.) There was simply no spirit or fight against a team that would have struggled against a Sunday league pub team.
Many times over the past 40 years I've exclaimed 'That's the worst I've ever seen England play.' But this display against Algeria left me absolutely shaken, it's made England a laughing stock and everyone involved with the team should hang their head in shame.
As I write this Ghana have just equalised against Australia who have had Kewell sent off. That means shoudl a miracle happen and we beat Slovenia we will probably be playing Germany in the next round - Come home now lads!!!!

It's the air quality, stupid! Notice how not just England, but most European super teams, have performed badly. Don't they know it's the southern hemisphere, water spins the opposite way down a plughole : when a ball is kicked it spins the opposite way! And anyone who has seen African skies knows how crystal clear the air is. No sticky pollution from vehicle exhausts, airplanes and coal-fired power stations. When a ball is kicked it travels further in this clear air, and flies higher. Seen all those overhit balls from European teams? And of course the air filling the ball has no polluting particles in it, so it is much lighter. Also - can't those African teams run! It's the air again. Frighten an African Kudu or Oryx and watch it run ; compare this with a British cow! I tell you, the English team WERE running as fast as they do back home, it's just that Africans can run faster! There's no getting away from it, Algeria were brilliant .. AND what a clean game - no cynical fouls, diving, or cheating that is now commonplace in Europe. A real credit to the game of football - they just need to improve their finishing.

What is happening to England ? Everyone expects her to be one of the better teams.

The England team have now been over South Africa long enough to adapt to the climate change; we were playing dreadful in the warm up games so I think blaming the climate is abit of a cop out to be honest.

I think the last two games have been a shambles especially last night, the captains arm band being changed the team has no real leader and it's obvious that the team has no English pride or spirit. Players sleeping with other player's wifes probably doesn't help.

I think that Argentina have a great team spirit and all work for each other it just looks like most of the English players dont want to even be on the field; I don't even think they should be getting paid for the world cup it should be an honour to play for your country.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

I’ve had a comment on this subject bounced off the blog as off topic, but since the “how to fix England” still seems to be on topic, here goes again: reinstate John Terry as captain, given the current shower, he is the only one capable of knotting them together as some sort of effective unit.
I was very disappointed when Capello caved gave in to the UK tabloid press and dropped him, after all, JT didn’t do anything illegal or even “immoral” in the world of celebs to which footballers belong.
Bring JT back as captain, dump Heskey, move Lampard up and please someone give Rooney some service.

so bbc thinks my comment has violated the house rules? huh? send me ans e-mail explaining how and which sections. I've read the house rules over and over but I don't get it. I need to be told, may be the rules recently made

Save England – Drop Rooney. To get the result required against Slovenia there needs to be radical changes to the team. Rooney cannot perform as he is injured. When he does not perform it drags the team down as his team mates always have such high expectations of him. Additionally, his state of mind on the pitch in that situation drags the team down also.

The team changes required are to drop Rooney for reasons specified, Heskey & Lennon; and Carragher due to his yellow cards. The replacements should be Defoe, Crouch, Joe Cole and Upson. Defoe and Crouch know each other well from Spurs and Joe Cole has always linked up well with Ashley Cole and the strikers and it frees Lampard & Gerrard to play where they play best.

Tell the full world cup squad as soon as possible of what you intend to do before you announce the changes and advise the whole squad that it is the team that matters not the individuals and that you expect all squad members, including those dropped, to assist the team between now and the Slovenia match. By the time the match starts you will have a dedicated and prepared team.

Put Rooney on the bench, he can always be put on if need be.

The solution is simple but will Fabio agree, I hope so, because his teams and his tactics have not worked.

This is a Jimmy Greaves moment for those who remember Geoff Hurst taking his place in the semi-final of 1966 as Jimmy was injured. Hurst did well so Ramsey picked him for the final at Jimmy’s expense and we all know what happened in the final!!

I think the English players need to be tested for colour blindness. They seem to confuse green shirts with white shirts.

After watching the dismal performance of the English side I would encourage them to watch a replay of today's game between Australia, not exactly a world power in football, and Ghana, when the Aussies held on to a 1-1 draw with ten men for most of the game. An Aussie was unfairly sent off for an accidental handball on the goal line. The Aussies showed real guts in hanging on for a point, and even made chances to win. A great example for the listless Englishmen.

YES IT WAS A DISAPPOINTMENT BUT IT WAS NOT A DISAPPOINTING PERFORMANCE.
ALGERIA PLAYED AND DEFENDED WELL AND ENGLAND COULD NOT FIND AN ANSWER.

The level of media scrutiny, analysis and over analysis of England's
performance on Friday against Algeria is too much and not at all
helpful.

Rather than encouraging the England Team, Coach & Staff, the English
media and miscellaneous so called experts and pundits are hell bent on
verbally whipping and verbally bullying the members of the England
Camp. My goodness! with so many experts you wonder why England isn't a
force to be reckoned with in any sphere, be it sports or politics or
whatever!

With this overwhelming level of derisory comments and criticism it
would be nothing short of a miracle if England were to make any kind of
success in this current world cup campaign and indeed any future world
cup tournament.

Take for example the reaction to Wayne Rooney's comment BOY DO WE KNOW
HOW TO MAKE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLE HILL! ... how on earth do you
think he felt with the home crowd booing after such a difficult match.
He is just a young man from an ordinary background who has got a
brilliant talent of which he chooses to proudly share with and
represent the nation and YES HE EARNS A GOOD WAGE FOR HIS TALENT and he
deserves it. YET THIS IS THE THANKS HE GETS? Come on. TALK ABOUT
KICKING A MAN WHEN HE IS DOWN.

And so what if you paid so much money to travel half-way around the
world to support you country !!! WHAT THE HELL! Tell me something, do
you as a supporter, expect ENGLAND to pay for your transport, food,
accommodation and a ticket so that she can count on your support? Do
you expect the team to club together and buy you all a ticket to come
and support them. FOOLS! you are supposed to support your country out
of a sense of national pride. Have you never ever heard of or
understood what it means to be a Patriot. and Don't you understand
that in every competition there are winners as well as losers?

For starters I think that we as a country underestimate Teams like
Algeria and feel like we have got the God given right to brush them
aside.

WHY OH WHY CAN'T YOU ALL JUST SHUT IT ... AND GET BEHIND THE TEAM COME
RAIN OR SHINE AND LIFT THEIR SPIRITS. GIVE THEM THE SUPPORT THAT THE
NEED AND FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE...STOP... OH STOP RUNNING THEM DOWN.

COME ON E N G E R LAAAND!!!!!

Hello Starfloridian, I agree with your comments regarding England. Maybe the USA as a growing football nation can get Mr Obama to ask FIFA for clarification on the handball rule re Harry K of Australia. They make a ball that travels faster and expected him to avoid the ball hitting his shoulder / arm, definitely not his hand. He never seen the ball coming or the reason for the sending off. The referees hands were typically tied by FIFA rules that need to be changed, a penalty maybe yes, a sending off, definitely not.

So having read all of the comments and not one that is good, then surely it is time for the English public to have a real say, lets back Capello and ask him to pack up the so called team and come home save any further embarrassment. Make them pay for the rest of there time there and hotels and flights and just maybe they would understand how the English public feel.

If this shambles of a team had any backbone they would ask to leave Africa and never show there faces again.

We have a country in crisis and these spoilt brats with there ridiculous lifestyles should be utterly ashamed, I wonder what Beckham thinks of all of this, unfortunately he is a gentleman and will probably not comment.

How do you punish this behavior, if they were in a real job they would be sacked !!

Just watching the excellent Cameroon vs Denmark game and noticed that EVERY player was singing their national anthem. Even if the England players don't care about representing their country (and they all look they're on the footballing equivalent of a geography field trip) at least having a good sing song before taking to the field might wake them a little. Yesterday, when Heskey (is he really one of the top eleven players in this country? Um, emphatically no) missed a gilt edged to put his colleague in to a really good scoring opportunity he (wait for it) he LAUGHED. It looks as though Cameroon are going to lose this game but at least when any of their players doesn't make the most of an opportunity they look like they give a rat's arse, something that Heskey clearly doesn't. And if Rooney thinks the fans are there for his benefit he needs to grow up and appreciate who pays for his over-indulgent lifestyle. Hopefully Crouch and Defoe will start against Slovenia and their collective respective for their position and the accountability they hold for their performance (in comparison to Heskey and Rooney at least) will see them deliver the result the fans deserve.

I tend to agree with SaveEnglandBoy (comment 13). Replace Rooney and Heskey with Crouch and Defoe and bring on Joe Cole. Keep possession as much as possible, keep the style of passing very simple, and don't try to be too flashy. Players have to show each other that they want the ball and not shy away from responsibility. Avoid back passes wherever possible.

I am sorry LesAle but ignoring the fact that Rooney is dragging the side down will not achieve anything. Only radical changes including dropping Rooney will have the desired effect. Patriotism is no substitute for cold reality.

Unfortunately the present England,s captain was only the managers third choice. Based on England's dismal results under him .Gerrard should step aside before it is too late.He didn't inspire Liverpool last season and continues not to inspire England .Regards Rooney and the rest of the forwards their frustration once again reflects Gerrard's inability to control the midfield.

As a New Zealander working in Georgia I am not a follower of English football so I found the background comments here quite enlightening. As an unbiased observer, I was shocked by the lack of effort by the English team against Algeria. I actually counted the number of English players to see whether or not they were playing short handed since the Algerians were everywhere and the English so ... pedestrian. Contrast that with the efforts of a short-sided Australian team who gave so much.

The English players should be ashamed of themselves. They have one last chance to redeem themselves and show that they are worthy to participate in the World Cup. I really hope they do so.

Lots of people are wondering why England performed so badly. This type of performance has happened before at all levels from schoolboy football to international level. I suspect that, all the pundits and everybody else was thinking that England should win easily. The team went into the match with the idea that all they had to do was turn up. Once the game started they were in the wrong frame of mind and couldn't perform properly. I am sure they won't be in this frame of mind for the next game

Ah, you young people. I've seen about 15 World Cups. With one exception they have all been exactly the same so far as Englands performance is concerned. I don't expect them to ever be any different. The entire way England runs football is a shambles. Always has been.

I'm not a football fan, but on these occasions I do support my country.

I just wish the England players would do the same.

When I think about Germany's worst ever performance in an international tournament, the match against Portugal in the EURO 2000 is popping up immediately. It was the last group game, Portugal had already qualified to the quarter finals and they rested some of their first XI. For Germany instead it was a must-win situation. However, there was no concept, no spark and no will to win. It was just absolutely ridiculous! Total chaos! Portugal won 3-0 and it was a walk in the park for them.

I believe that Team England is under far too much pressure. Listening to the TV and radio and reading all the comments concerning the teams last two games...I would be terrified to cross the white line to play for England I would feel like Andres Escobar playing for Colombia in '94 after scoring an own goal, and we all know what happened to him! It's any wonder why Team England are under performing they are scared of playing fast and loose. They are concentrating on the vilification and the media slaughter that will befall them if they fail rather than being relaxed on concentrating and thinking tactically/technically on the task on hand. Some people I guess perform the best under such pressure but certainly not me and most like the same with Team England. Please get behind the team give them the support that they deserve so that they can reward us with the football that we deserve. Does anyone ... anyone understand me? or am I just a lone voice in the wilderness?

simple answer
Yep that was the worst.

That legendary Norway defeat.

"Det er aldeles uuuutrolig! Vi har slått England, England, kjempers fødeland: Loooord Nelson, Loooord Beaverbrook, Sir Winston Churchill, Sir Anthony Eden, Clement Attlee, Henry Cooper, Lady Diana, vi har slått dem alle sammen."

That performance was pretty poor.

I'm from Argentina. I think our last horrible defeat was against Bolivia (which isn't THAT good team; actually it's one of the worst in South America) 1-6 last year, playing for the classification to the world cup. I couldn't believe my eyes!
My country classified to the World Cup with a last minute goal against Peru (2-1 final result), and after 90 minutes of dread of not making it to Southafrica (in fact, two years of desperation cause our team was not doing well) we finally boasted this goal(a victory goal, which gave us so much relief!) of playing the World Cup (as we do every four years).
Now we're doing quite well, though our coach has been so hard criticised, specially by ourselves, Argentine people.
We are now 7th in the FIFA ranking, but I expect my country to climb up a couple of steps, and situate among the four best teams, at least.