In true England fashion, the Three Lions got our 2010 World Cup campaign off to a dubious start. An absolute howler from goalkeeper Robert Green sent far too recent memories of Paul Robinson and Scott Carson flashing before the nation's eyes again. The question is, what was Fabio Capello doing selecting him in the first place? He's not had a great season for West Ham United, a Premier League howler against Bolton springs to mind, and there are two other goalkeepers in the England squad that surely have a better claim than the Hammers number one. Joe Hart may be young but he's been truly exceptional for Birmingham City over the past year and made the PFA team of the year. Veteran David James is also surely more competent than Green, and despite injuries over the past year, would still be a preferable option in goal, with plenty of experience to add to his natural ability. Ledley King's half-time withdrawal was also discouraging, and Jamie Carragher looked suspect as his replacement. It would be fair to say that a fit Rio Ferdinand would have been much appreciated in Rustenburg today.
But let's focus on the positives. After poor performances against Mexico and Japan, at least England played well for most of the match. Emile Heskey was effervescent in attack, new captain Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard both put in good shifts alongside each other in central midfield, Wayne Rooney grew into the game and looked threatening and there were similarly impressive performances from Aaron Lennon, Glen Johnson and substitute Shaun Wright-Phillips. However, the result leaves much to be desired, and Capello's men will need to be more clinical against the weaker opposition to follow, Algeria and Slovenia. Not only do we need to clinch qualification, it would be good to find some form before the knockout stages where Germany, Argentina, Brazil and the rest could be lurking. By no means a disastrous start, but the Three Lions need to eliminate these notorious errors and controversial moments from their World Cup itinerary if 44 years of hurt are finally going to end.
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