There was talk of progress, a feeling of optimism even. There was mention of green shoots. And then there was the game.

The stark reality of England's standing in world football was laid bare again at Wembley Stadium yesterday.

Somehow FIFA's current international rankings place them sixth in the world, which only goes to show how little credibility should be attached to anything emanating from the world governing body.

Level pegging: Ashley Young (centre) drills home England's equaliser

One year on from the World Cup debacle, the capacity of the England team to embrace calamity remains depressingly familiar.

Against a decent yet unremarkable Switzerland side, they demonstrated all the failings that had bedevilled them in South Africa.

There was a catastrophic goalkeeping performance, the repeated inability to close down space or defend as an organised unit in midfield and an insidious lethargy that permeated the performance.

« Previous1234567Next »