Another game, another victory and another step closer to the World Cup next summer. But yet again, this was an England win that came in spite of the coach and not because of him.

For 70 minutes England were almost in cruise mode against a Wales side that lacked nothing in passion but a lot in penetration. Although it took a magnificent save from Robinson to deny Hartson in the first half, Wales never looked like breaking down an efficient if lacklustre England team.

But then Sven, in his infinite wisdom, decided to tinker with the system and the players by making substitutions which were simply not needed or warranted. So instead of cruising for the last 20 minutes as they should have done, England ended up desperately holding on for a win that should have been comfortably wrapped up long before.

The 4-5-1 formation they played worked in the sense that England looked relatively solid in the middle where David Beckham played his best game for years at the heart of the team.

His range of passes and overall contribution to the team were excellent as he put in the sort of performance we once were able to take for granted of the captain.

Up front Rooney was a constant menace and at the back the team never really missed John Terry, but that had more to do with the toothless Wales attack than any particularly outstanding performances.

But, with three quarters of the game gone and the team finally starting to gel Sven stuck his oar in and took off Wright Philips, Cole and Lampard and fiddled with the formation.

From there on what had been a steady if uninspiring performance turned into a panicked one. Wales started to take the game to England who were reduced to some quite desperate defending.

Tactical midget

How long will it be before the people that matter realise Sven is a tactical midget? I am sick and tired of hearing about how he has brought intelligence to the national team. About how he has instilled in England’s players technical ability and awareness.

What he has really done is sucked the heart and soul out of his squad and modelled the team on himself – quiet, calm, almost robotic in their approach to the game.

Interestingly, former striking legend Ian Wright chose last weekend to express his own opinion on Sven saying he has the ability to take England to the quarter finals of a major tournament but lacks the heart to take them all the way.

In the semis and the final, tactics go out of the window and it is only on passion, pride and patriotism that teams make it all the way, he said. And how right he is.

Stifling opponents

Teams can progress in major tournaments by stifling opponents and playing eight at the back. But in order to win the world cup you have to go out onto the pitch prepared to die for the cause. I think only Beckham and Rooney of the current first team have that sort of passion left in them.

England go into tonight’s game against Northern Ireland knowing that a win coupled with Wales beating Poland in the other game would all but assure them of qualifying for the finals.

Wales may have a little trouble holding up to their side in the bargain but could just about do it if they manage to break their current scoring duck. Not having Craig Bellamy in the side is certainly not helping but in Hartson they have a player who must be considered as one of the best ball-winning centre forwards in the game. And Ryan Giggs is not exactly short of skill either.

As far as England are concerned, well, it should be a walk in the park against an Irish team which is made up of lower league footballers. They beat Azerbajan on Saturday but that was their first competitive victory at home for four years which gives you a fair idea of just how bad they are.

Once upon a time I would have happily suggested England should win four or five nil against such lowly opposition. There was time when that sort of result would be almost taken for granted considering the enormous gulf in talent between the two sides.

But with the Swedish robot in charge a 1-0 victory might possibly be the order of the day...

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