Dire. Shocking. Awful. Disgrace. Just four of the words that have been used to try and get somewhere near describing England’s performance against Algeria in their second Group C match. There have been others but they remain unprintable.

It was the worst performance seen by an English national side for some years which, given the reigns of Graham Taylor and Steve McClaren, is saying something. It could possibly be the worst performance seen from an England side in World Cup history. But in the immediate aftermath, the rawness of the disappointment at achieving only a goalless draw against a comparative minnow is evident from players and fans alike.

 

Too many players simply did not turn up. These are players who earn millions of pounds in club football and play at the highest level both domestically and in European competition. Yet they appear incapable of producing club form in an England shirt and some appear not to care.

All will be analysed but some deserve more comment than others. And perhaps the most obvious is Mr Wayne Rooney.

He didn’t look fit – he didn’t look bothered. He certainly wasn’t at the pace of the game and whilst he did have a couple of meaningful efforts on goal, the Wayne Rooney that performs on a regular basis for Manchester United needs to be traced and quickly. He is entitled to his opinion and players often ask fans to get behind them rather than booing. Yet those fans paid thousands of pounds to follow England to South Africa so are also entitled to their opinion and few would argue that Friday night’s performance was worthy of anything other than boo’s. Wayne Rooney needs to learn a little humility.

The Lampard/Gerrard debate will continue to be hotly disputed but the facts from the first two matches are that something needs to change. Both are fantastic club players – neither has ever consistently shone for the Three Lions whilst the other is present. Some thought that David Beckham’s presence was the problem. Clearly not.

Aaron Lennon in the first half and Shaun Wright-Phillips in the second both abjectly failed to break down stiff Algerian resistance. Both have pace but arguably little else above either Theo Walcott or Adam Johnson and Fabio Capello must have at least some concern about his choice of wide players.

In the end, England failed to beat Algeria. With no disrespect intended, it should have been a mismatch and a walkover but it wasn’t. Algeria’s pride in a decent display was overridden by the ineptitude in England’s. It cannot be repeated if England want to avoid an early and embarrassing exit.