Dylan, you are spot-on with your analysis of England's problems. Rough, headless-chicken play is not the way to win international competitions. Technique wins the day nearly every time--and a technically gifted player can still have pace and play the ball quickly in the English style. Look at Torres, for example, or Anelka, or any of the other foreigners who excel in the EPL. Instead of hiring a foreign manager, maybe the FA should have imported some heads of overseas football academies who would be able to push kids into a more technical style of play while they are still impressionable.

Pat, Voorhees,, NJ

Lets put this to bed once and for all. England are no way near as good as they think are. When it comes to technical ability, things like close control, dribbling skills and being able to think 3 or 4 moves ahead, we are literally streets behind other nations. Unfortunatley, most people, including the players, are influenced by the media hysteria that proclaims our players as world class. Remember our record in the Champions League before the influx of foreign players? We were rubbish. We are only good now because our top 4 teams barely have an Englishmen in them. Our overtly physical culture is our downfall - any skilful child in this country gets lumps kicked out of him with no protection from refs. Net result, they give up on attempting to be creative using close control & dribbling skills. This is the price we pay for championing strength over skill. When our clubs look for skill, we hire it from abroad. We can't do this for our international team - hence why we're not very good.

Dylan, London,

ok agree with the article - i think england are a pile of rubbish. but brazil not having a good striker?!?! not quite sure i agree with that one...

Dipak, Croydon, England

My biggest concern is that Fabio decided to completely change the system at half time. Surely if he believes that this is the system England need to play at international level then if should continued to play it.

Personally I thought we kept the ball well in the first half but lacked cutting edge. Perhaps a similar system with Lampard in for one of the holding players would have been more effective.

DANNY G, UK,

gerrard had his worst ever game last night he was even worse then in the game against croatia what will it take to drop this over rated hoofer. mind you the rest were not a lot better and they are supposed to play in the best league in the world
last night the truth was exposed for all to see they simpley are not international standerd

seamus , dublin, ireland

The article does well to highlight how much England (in the immediate sense) miss Paul Scholes and in long term lack the continental emphasis on technical ability of physical.

Sharpe, Wick, Caithness

"nor do Brazil"? are you serious??

mark, sydney,

Tony, your article talks about how, because Rooney didn't have good enough players around him, that he was unable to perform the role he does well for United. Therefore, Rooney shouldn't be playing this role for England?

It makes more sense, to try and look for alternatives to the established choices in those roles, than to remove a player from a role he is clearly very good at?

There are young players that can be moulded a lot more easily than some of the more established stars, maybe it's time to give them a chance and be bold in dropping some of the marquee players like Gerrard? Bring in midfielders who can unlock a defence, who have the ability if given the right platform to grow as players and surely it will be better and more rewarding?

Great players don't always equate to a great side. If Capello wants to play this kind of system, he has the striker to do it, so it should be about finding the midfielders to support him, not changing the system to one that suits the midfield.

Taff, Newport,

Thank you! Someone who doesn't kiss the floor that Gerard walks on. He's great...but not the greatest. And as a Man U fan I'm desperately hoping Rooney gets scoring again- because he deserves to. I'm also a huge Ronaldo fan but it breaks my heart everytime Rooney has to go to him to congratulate him for a goal- get to it Wayne! However, I do agree that it is vital he is supported by the midfield. Sorry England, I was actually rooting for you this time!

H K M, Nairobi/ Kenya,

Er Peter Charles do tou watch football? Rooney is hardly "hyped" up as he is a established player. 8 goals and 11 assists? not bad for a player who is not as good as the hype. Rooney is in a similair mould to cantona and up to now have similair goal to game ratios, Rooney 121 games 49goals, cantona 144games 64 goals. But was Cantona overhyped because he didnt score many goals? On top of that Rooney in theory plays as a lone stricker for united unlike cantona. Yet It seems a stricker (by people who dont understand football) are rated by goals alone. Ronaldo has contributed to 28 goals this season (25 goals 3 assists) but would he have scored half as many without Rooney who has contributed to 19?
I hate Rooney more than anyone as a person, Im a Everton fan, but as a footballer to claim he is overhyped? Hes not bad for a 22 year old!

ryan , liverpool, England

SS, AMF, ant system? Is Rooney a storm-trooping ant? What's that all about please - answers in English.

Phil Hexter, Cardiff,

Rooney is more like a SS or AMF... stop using him as sole CF.

J, Jakarta, Indonesia

Rooney does not score a lot when he plays as a lone striker, when he plays not as a lone striker, when he plays for united when he plays for England and he didnt when he played for Everton.

He has never scored a lot under ant system with any team and he probably never will and I know why. The answer is pretty obvious really. .

Maybe just maybe he is not as good as all the hype.

Peter Charles, London,