Estonians better, now they're not turning to Jelle

Actually, it is. No point denying it but Estonia are rubbish and perfect opponents for an England team looking for some more confidence for their difficult trip to Moscow.

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This should be a walk in the park for Steve McClaren's men. How has Estonia's qualifying campaign gone?

Very badly, right from the start. They lost their first six games without scoring a goal and coach Jelle Goes was sacked after they lost 3-0 at home to England.

His successor Viggo Jensen, who played for Denmark in the early Seventies has got them scoring, though, and they are off the bottom of the group.

They have one win — 2-1 against Andorra — and a 1-1 drawin Macedonia.

So maybe they can play after all. Mr Jensen must be a truly inspirational man?

Er, not so sure about that if his comments from yesterday's press conference are any guide.

"There is no point me watching England lots of times. You could watch these players too many times and begin to feel sick at how good they are.

"We are a country that has been formed just 15 years and we are facing a country that has been playing football for more than 100 years. I think that sums up our challenge."

So he's no Winston Churchill then? So what has he done to turn things around?

Well one masterstroke was to being back Europe's most capped footballer, Martin Reim.

The 36- year-old midfielder had been jettisoned by Goes but is now back in the team and will win his 154th international cap today.

Reim, who plays for FC Flora Tallinn, was in the team when Estonia played their first game after independence 15 years ago — a 1-1 draw against Slovenia. It is fitting that he should play in their biggest-ever game this afternoon.

That's an impressive career. Is he more confident than his coach?

No, not really. Realism seems to run through the veins of these Estonian players.

Reim says: "We are not going there to lose but we know it will be difficult. If we can hold England in the early stages than maybe we can do something."

Well, at least there was a "maybe" in there. Is there anyone in this team that we have heard of?

Yes, former Derby County and Arsenal goalkeeper Mart Poom. He now plays for Watford.

Ah yes, the big blond chap. He must be about 40 now though? Not quite. He's only 35 and still a

decent keeper. But he has a disc problem and will probably need an injection to help him play today.

He says: "This is the biggest day of my career perhaps. I used to watch the FA Cup Final on TV in Estonia and have been to Wembley for concerts and things. So this is very exciting."

He won't be very excited if they lose 5-0 will he? Do Estonia sense any England weakness?

Defender Andrei Stepanov does. He says: "When they played in Estonia, England's best player was David Beckham. So we are glad he is not here this time."