New cup bid but the same old worries still haunt us

Let's hope he finds one before England face Algeria on Friday.

The disappointing 1-1 draw with the United States simply revisited many of the problems the coach inherited from the ill-fated reign of Steve McClaren.

Notable among these is the continuing debate about the value of the Frank Lampard-Steve Gerrard central midfield combination. Two of the best midfielders in the world, they rarely repeat their club form when they play together for England.

But I have no doubt that two such talented players can be effective in the same team. The solution is to play Gerrard further forward, off the shoulder of Wayne Rooney, and bring in a holding midfielder in front of the back four.

If fit, Gareth Barry is the man for the job. If not, then it should be Michael Carrick. England lacked a cohesive game plan against the US but from the debris of that frustrating opening match Capello might find some answers. Whatever the extent of the planning involved, England teams in the past have evolved as the tournament unfolded.

Capello didn't cover himself in tactical glory against the States and the catastrophe that befell Robert Green disguised many of the flaws in England's game.

Green's mistake presents Capello with the biggest selection decision of his England reign. A good keeper is a source of confidence to a team. A bad one undermines that feel-good factor.

Green is vulnerable after Saturday's mistake. Another slip-up against Algeria would almost certainly spell the end of his international career, bring Capello's decision-making into question and could jeopardise England's future involvement in the tournament.

Better, I suggest, to rely on the experience of David James to restore confidence in a team that cannot afford another indifferent performance.