This article is spot on. I've said this before on another posting and I will say this till I am blue in the face. England have talented players but they are led by the lack of foresight, lack of vision and third rate decisions made by the top brass in the FA. And these staff are completely unaccountable.

It is depressing that the same FA who initiated this fiasco 18 months ago will conduct a "roots and branch" inquiry into the state of football and find a new manager for the England squad. With these lot running the show it is doubtful England will win the 2010 World Cup which is ultimately what the target should be. It is what the country deserves after years of squandered opportunities and cost. Reaching semi-finals or quarter-finals is not enough this time.

Such a contrast to the rugby. Two World Cups, places in the finals both times. If the FA are serious about winning a World Cup or European Cup trophy they should look at how the RFU prepare for international tournaments.

Dinesh, Duisburg, Germany

The players are not good enough, they get paid too much and there is little passion on the pitch. The FA Board or is it BORED! are they qualified - are they ex players, ex managers if not they should be. Maybe this is the reason they cannot chose the right Manager they have no idea what they are looking for. I love the game but there is no way I would have considered Steve McClaren for the job, he does not exude confidence so how can be impart confidence to the players?

First step get rid of the FA Board and start again with a Board that actually knows what they are doing, strong, committed to the fans of England. England do not want mediocre players and they don't need mediocre board members. It starts at the top lets finish it and get rid of the FA Bored Members.

Gail, Sydney, Australia

It is surely time that everyone,and that includes the players,realised that we are just not good enough. We have elivated these so called superstars in the England shirts to such a level that its become a joke. Our players are NOT world class, what have any of them won at international level?
NOTHING .
They are paid so much that they have lost touch with reality. Crotia (and Scotland) play like their lives depend on it. When was the last time an England team played with snarling teeth and sleeves rolled up? Personally I cant remember. They all live in a pampered world of mansions and fast cars. They all talk of playing with passion for England, well , its time to eat your words England players because you have proved that really you are just a bunch of average plodders.
Solution. Get rid of the current FA and replace with Ex players and get rid of the stupid money they pay these so-called stars. One more thing, for the next England match just pick Championship and below players.

Ian Fawkes, Buxton, England

The FA are pure genius! Surely this is the greatest FA in the history of English football! How else could they have known McClaren would be one of the greatest England managers of all time? I know, McClarens results were disgraceful, embarassing and pitiful, but as the FA will surely tell you, there is more to football then what happens on the pitch. Everything else he did was perfect. He could speak. He could move his arms around. He could peel bananas. What more do you want from an England manager?

Simon Peter, Toms river,

My view on this is they shouldn't appoint a new manager until after next summer - there are no competitive games to play until then, so what is the point in rushing to get someone new in now? Get a temporary manager (perhaps Phycho could step up from the u21s) and see how the land lies later. If someone else brilliant comes up before then, then so be it, but don't rush now...

Jim, Leeds, UK

What should be said is the Premier League is the rest of the world.

No sane person would take on the England manager job with such a small pool of players to choose from.

A manager for a club with deep pockets can in theory and often practice choose any player in the world for his team.

John, Shefford,

What manager would play a goal keeper who has only played one international friendly?
What manager would leave David Beckham out in such a crucial game?
What manager would play anything other than a 4-4-2?
Just look at the stats of pevious matches and see that England always play their best in a 4-4-2 formation.
If they had started the first half, as they did the second half with David James in goal they would have got the result.
How can they justify paying millions of pounds a year to a manager who makes such bizzare decisions.
How will this situation improve if the F.A, only accept a manager that is going to be a ' yes man ' .

Gary Brookes, Nuneaton, England UK

"The Premier League is widely considered to be the best in the world"??

I disagree.

Tom , Dublin, Ireland