NOT MY FAULT....

So, England`s overpaid, millionaire, posing footballers fail yet again. A 2-1 defeat in Moscow last night reduced England`s chances of qualifying for the finals of the European Championships to a thread and we now wait to see if Russia can beat Israel away to secure our fate.

The blame game (at which we must lead the world) is now in full flow, but the reputation of England manager Steve McClaren is not helped by his insistence that the referee was at fault for the penalty award, the artificial pitch didn`t help, key players were missing through injury and there was an `r` in the month.

Sorry, Steve - won`t do. The players lost it - they weren`t good enough on the night - the tactics once we went a goal behind were of the `no change, it`ll be alright` type and, credit where it`s due, Russia looked like they cared just a bit more than we did.

So, on to Tel Aviv and I`m left with the dilemma as to whether to be patriotic and start supporting Israel or, just as tempting, hope Russia pull it off and consign this failed bunch of players and management to history so we can start again.

Never mind, Steve - keep smiling. It`s not your fault, is it?.