England 2- 3 Croatia

What the hell did I just watch? one of the most important games of this 12 match qualifying tournament and England made 3 schoolboy errors in the first 14 minutes.

I can't blame Steve McClaren because it goes without saying that the goalkeeper must not let the ball bounce over his hands and let in a goal.

It also goes without saying that a defender when looking along the defensive line should not move back towards his goal and put the Croatians in an on side position, and even if this does happen, don't break the golden rule, play to the whistle. 3 schoolboy errors that led to 2 goals.

Anyone that knows me will know that I think David Beckham is a very over rated player, and to have such a player whose major impact is taking corners and free kicks is to the detriment of the team, however he now has to fight for his place and when he came on for the second half he showed more spirit than many of the other players who were picked before him and think their places are secured by right.

After equalising it appeared England sat back and put Defoe in the hole, this was tactically naive by McClaren who said at the beginning of this campaigns, judge me over 12 games.

12 games have now passed and McClaren will be judged, but I believe the FA will still make the same mistakes. Will it be another knee jerk reaction? probably! if you are in any industry and the company goes under it is the management that is held culpable. Why is this not the case with the FA?

England were ranked 11th in Europe, but they could not qualify for the last 16. To win the 2008 European Championship you must win at least 2 games and draw 1 in your group, and then win your next 3 knockout games, quarter's, semi's and Final.

Let's all wise up, England are not consistent enough to win a tournament, and this is only a small one.

For all the dreamers out there, myself included,the draw for the world cup qualifiers takes place this Sunday.

Nigel Martyn, goal keeping issues.