Birmingham Mail

Since 1970, England's World Cup record is worse or on a par with Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Korea, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Soviet Union (the Russians if you prefer), Sweden and Turkey. I won't even mention the European Championships' record where the likes of Denmark and Greece prevail. As for next year...no, let's not even go there.

There's no sign of that hurt ending. England are no longer a footballing power and it's time to embrace that somewhat uncomfortable notion. Before we do, there won't be any improvement.

Remove Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, John Terry, Gary Neville and Ashley Cole from the starting line-up and England are flimsy and, more importantly, devoid of ability. I'm not sure the players I mention even have the moral fibre - after all, A Cole was more interested in organising a night-out at a night-club on the eve of the 2006 World Cup Final. So much for respecting the fans, many of whom went to Germany expecting to see this so-called 'Golden Generation' winning the World Cup. Mind you it doesn't help when the likes of Ian Wright and Alan Shearer build England up to be world-beaters and sneer at opposition countries - you can almost imagine them booing the Croatian national anthem before beating their chests like cavemen during 'God Save the Queen'. Still, at least they showed passion, seemingly no longer a requirement for members of Team England.

It's an indictment on England that nations of a seemingly lesser footballing pedigree, like Croatia and Russia, are not only beating them, but generally look more comfortable, technically adept and skillful on the ball. These nations seem to make the ball do the hard-work, while England's players tear around the pitch like Sunday League players chasing the hair of a mongrel following a night out.

For the final 15 minutes England were relying on three Premiership reserve strikers - Crouch, Bent and Defoe - while Beckham, playing in the Micky Mouse League, was waddling like Donald Duck on the right wing and planting in the occasional decent cross. Rejoice, David Beckham can still cross a ball! Mind you, at least he cares.

And don't even start on the goalkeepers. Scott Carson merely followed Paul Robinson and David James into the category of those who seem unable to cope with the basics of goalkeeping. Catching and gathering the ball is a basic requirement of a goalkeeper, not a bonus - regardless of how slippery the pitch is.

This so-called Golden Generation of players would struggle to reach the Uefa Cup or Intertoto Cup if they were a Premiership club side.

McClaren will probably go but the Emporer's clothes remain as rancid as ever, despite the change. It'll need more than a new manager to put the nation's football side right.

The game needs a shake-down from the very top. It needs better coaching, more emphasis on ball ability and skill. There should be an emphasis on talent and an ability to kick a ball when coaching youngsters - preferably with two feet - and not just picking out and grooming the tallest, biggest and most athletic kids.

An overseas footballer, who used to play on this patch and now lives in Sutton Coldfield, once told me that matches involving his son's under-14s team were often watched by scouts from professional clubs. Their criteria included strength, height, athleticism, pace. In any order. Further down their list of requirements were ability on the ball, talent, skill, vision. Those were optional extras. My friend had even pointed out certain players to the scouts. 'Too small', 'too slow', 'not big enough' were the replies. Less able, bigger lads, were catching the eye instead.

Brawn and power are everything, brain and talent are a bonus. Throw in the customary touchline 'coaching' from the watching parents and family members and it's little wonder we struggle on the international stage when the grass roots circuit discourages freedom of expression or enjoyment. Our defenders are required to 'hoof it' and win headers, our midfielders must tackle and win headers and our strikers need to run the channels. And win headers. As kids we pant up and down full size pitches and spend hours running in and out of cones during training, while learning how to defend or attack set-pieces. Our weaker foots remain weak and we are obsessed with marking and 'getting stuck in'. Those are the laws and, as a result, we are our own worst enemies. We pay the price at the higher level.

When England are needing snookers to reach a major tournament then you know there are major problems that need resolving far more than a mere change of head coach.

I take no consolation from supporting Poland at next year's Euros. I wanted England there as well.