I was otherwise engaged on Saturday, so I didn’t get to see any of the internationals (Yea, I know - believe me it was important), but reading the newspapers, it was obvious what happened.  Wales choked on the big occasion at Croke Park, whilst England, predictably, played without invention or adventure once more.

At least Wales, and Toshack have some kind of an excuse.  We could only field three players that enjoy club football at the highest level.  Apart from Giggs, Bellamy, and Simon Davies, we only really have the 18 year-old Bale who looks like he could step up to the plate. Wales are a small nation.  We simply don’t have he players to call upon.  Could you say the same for England?

Everyone outside of England new this would happen.  Everyone within England suspected it might hapen, if they are honest with themselves.  Second-choice Steve continues to display a tactical naivety unsurpassed at international level.

The English F.A. were gutless in their appointment of MClaren, and he in turn has been gutless in his team selection.  For some sections of the media to claim that some players are ‘un-dropable’ only fuels his decision to retain players in the 1st eleven who simply do not perform, or cannot perfrom in the system that Mclaren employs.

Are we to believe that there is no alternative to Phil Neville at right-back?  Jamie Carragher, in my opinion, is the best centre-half in the country right now, but why play him at left-back when Gareth Barry is available?

Second-choice Steve needs to drop Lampard, without delay.  Mclaren’s insistence on retaining Lampard in the centre forces the most potent central midfielder in british football, Steven Gerrard, to play wide on the right, which in turn forces Lennon to play on the opposite wing.  Where is the balance?

Start Lampard on the bench.  He’s a bloody good option to bring on if its not working out.

Wales, stick with Toshack, and build for the future.  England, it’s too late to ditch Mclaren, and I fear you could be watching the tournament from the sofa, like us.  Supporting Scotland, no doubt.