Once again in a World Cup, England have failed to fulfil their nations expectations, and led some to say, as they always do ‘the truth is we’re just not good enough’. Their have been times in the past when the old mantra was true, but this time I think not.

Even with Rooney’s injury, and even with the subsequent injury to Owen, England could, and should have gone further in the competition. As predicted by many though, Eriksson was wanting when it came to the big decisions.

The loss of form experienced by Frank Lampard, was of course a personal nightmare for him, and a loss to England. Of course though, these things happen in World Cup's, and as manager it is your job to respond in the right way. Eriksson failed to do that

What makes it all the more frustrating from an England fans perspective though is that the injury’s and losses of form that the manager had to try and turn to his advantage, actually presented Eriksson with a pretty decent option. One which he chose to ignore, in favour of an unfamiliar formation, in which he played the wrong players.

Lampard’s loss of form, gave Eriksson the chance to solve the Lampard-Gerrard problem and return to the formation the players play best in. 4-4-2. Peter Crouch was England’s red hot striker and the injury to Owen gave him the chance to reinstate the Liverpool man along side a resurgent Wayne Rooney in that 4-4-2 the players love.

All that stuff about ‘Can Rooney and Crouch play together’ is frankly clap-trap in a world cup situation. Rooney’s place was obvious, and when you’ve got an in form man on the bench, determined and a handful you have to throw him in, rather than cower into a defensive formation, that of course leads to penalties. Something England are not good at.

England knew they had a good defence, and the manager failed to go for it, with two upfront, in the way the players know. Perhaps Eriksson was scared of his Theo Walcott Experiment being exposed, should another striker be lost. Not good enough.

The popular press were right all along...Eriksson blew it, badly.

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