NEIL ASHTON'S EURO BLOG: Henry and Vieira need to find old Arsenal magic or they will be French toast - which was about the extent of my birthday feast

I was one of 30,000 unfortunate souls who was forced to sit through France's lifeless 0-0 draw with Romania on Monday and it was an instantly forgettable experience. They had better pull their fingers out tonight.

At least the supporters got to have a night out after that horrific experience. I had to find 800 words to write about it.

Not easy when players closest to English football - Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira - are frustrated passengers.

They were both injured, but they are expected to be back in the team to face Holland this evening. How they need some of the old magic to return in Berne.

Henry was booed off the pitch by his own supporters when he won his 100th cap for his country against Colombia at the Stade de France last week. How times change.

Once he was the world's best striker. Remember his season by season duels with Manchester United's goal machine Ruud van Nistelrooy and Arsene Wenger's memorable quote: "They used to argue over who was the best striker. They don't any more."

Well that argument has resurfaced after Van Nisteloory took his goalscoring talents to Real Madrid. What happened to Henry's? Barcelona have not seen the best of Henry and his attempts to return to England have, so far, proved fruitless.

It is hard to imagine clubs turning Henry down, but the Big Four are not interested. That has to hurt.

For nearly 10 years, he had a wonderful reputation in England but that image was tainted by his final season at Arsenal. Injuries and ego permitting, he can still make an impact on this tournament.

Similarly, so can Vieira. A shadow of the player who once marshalled Arsenal's midfield - remember a teenage Cesc Fabregas overshadowing him in the 2005 Champions League quarter-final against Juventus? - he is still a talented player.

They need the old guard to perform against a Dutch team who have the talent to win the tournament. With the notable exception of Franck Ribery, France were abysmal against Romania.

Defeat tonight will almost certainly spell the end for France. And possible the end of an era.

He bought us what? Rooney and Coleen hear the news of their present from Sir Alex

Initially, I thought Wayne Rooney and "journalist" Coleen McLoughlin were a little insensitive by having their wedding on June 12, not least because there were some celebrations of my own in Zurich last night.

While I appreciate efforts of my colleague Matt Lawton to organise a birthday cake as we wiled the evening away in an inexpensive Zurich burger joint with some friends from other newspapers, drinking nothing stronger than water and iced teas, my ears pricked when I heard of the gift Sir Alex Ferguson got for Wayne Rooney.

Apparently his boss bought him a Bulgari watch as a wedding present. Just thought I'd mention it. Not that my own boss reads this.