England crash out on wet Wembley night

England will not be going to Euro 2008 after suffering a 3-2 home defeat to Croatia, along with Russia's one nil victory in Andorra, which left England 3rd in the group.

The likelihood is that Steve McClaren will now lose his job, despite his relucatance post-match to quit, an FA Board meeting tomorrow morning may make the decision for him. England lacked direction, leadership and quality both on and off the pitch last night. On the pitch, we looked clueless and only seemed to play the football required when we were behind. The defence was all over the place, and the decision to drop Robinson, in the end, has condembed McClaren. Off the pitch, the leadership in making the right decisions by the coaching staff was also amiss. Nobody is saying Carson isn't a good goalkeeper, but to give him his competitive debut in such a big match was perhaps not the best decision ever made. The early error which gave Croatia the lead showed his nerves, but he did make some good saves later on. Just consider this though, we were playing without our first choice back four; instead of Gary Neville, Ferdinand, Terry and Ashley Cole, we had Richards, Campbell, Lescott and Bridge; so would this be the game you choose to blood a new goalkeeper? I think not! The decision also completely pushed David James out of the frame. If Robinson was to be dropped, it was to be for James, not Carson. The time for big decisions was 15 months ago, not on the most important game of the qualifying group.

It is true that England through qualification away in other games. Drawing at home to Macedonia, then the mistakes in Croatia, and then losing in Russia having taken the lead, left our hopes dangling by a thread. But we got a second chance, even a third chance when we pulled it back to 2-2, but it wasn't to be. Gutless, toothless, clueless, whatever the adjective, we were poor, and hopefully not making the finals will kick the FA into action over sorting out the mess that is the England team once and for all. Decisions need to be made about grassroots, money, playing as a team, etc, and then there needs to be a clear directive and plan about the best way forward. Oh, and find a decent coach. I hear Mourinho is still unemployed...