Lou Macari: England's World Cup excuses are wearing thin
IF I hear another excuse for England's failings at the World Cup – or anyone else's for that matter – the telly is going through the living room window.

I might even defect to Rugby League after being impressed by a game between Wigan and St Helens on Sunday.

The commitment shown by the players in that game, together with their respect for the match officials and each other, was a breath of fresh air when compared to football.

It was particularly resonant after then witnessing the shameful play-acting that got Kaka sent off in the Brazil v Ivory Coast game.


What we need in our game is the sin-binning of players that seems to work so well in both codes of rugby. I am sure it would cut out a lot of the cheating and play-acting we are having to suffer at the moment.

If only the sin bin could solve all the problems of this World Cup. Sadly, the problems go much deeper.

Those excuses – whether they be the balls, the vuvuzelas, the tactics, the managers or the selections – are really doing my head in.

The real reason for England performing so badly, for France fighting among themselves and Brazil impressing me far less than they seem to be impressing everyone else is the drop in standards.

The signs were there four years ago when Italy won the World Cup after just one good game along the way – their victory over hosts Germany in the semi-finals.

After a week-and-a-half of this tournament, I've seen nothing to revise my opinion that the world game is in decline. That's why we are getting New Zealand – with their butchers, bakers and candlestick-makers – holding the world champions to a draw.

That's why we get Algeria, a bunch of players simply willing to work hard for one another, holding England to that stinker last Friday night. And that's why we look upon North and South Korea as a welcome respite during their first games because you see players not only wanting to die for their shirts, but also having respect for their countries and their managers.

There are no gestures when they are substituted and certainly no news of any bust-ups on the training ground.

This business of player power has come to the surface in the French camp and now among the English as well, it seems. When I see John Terry, a player not fit to lace the boots of previous England centre-halves, issuing his solution at a press conference, I'm left choking on my orange juice.

Fabio Capello is in a horrible place now. If he doesn't listen to what his players have to say and England get knocked out, then he'll be slaughtered.

If he does listen and England get through, then he has to listen to them all the time.

It makes me laugh when I hear people say England will be OK if only Steven Gerrard plays 10 feet further forward and three feet to the right.

Or that Joe Cole is suddenly seen as the nation's saviour when I didn't hear his name being shouted from the rooftops before the USA game.

It's all rubbish. The bottom line is that England just don't have the players anymore to make a significant impact at a major tournament.

And don't swallow the excuses being trotted out about the boredom, delays in naming the team, Capello being miserable etc. Believe you me, when you stand in the tunnel before playing the USA or Algeria, all you are thinking about is the fact you're about to take part in a World Cup match.

You're mind isn't filled with thoughts of noisy horns, light footballs and the fact Joe Cole isn't standing in line.

England now have to beat Slovenia tomorrow to keep alive their dreams of going all the way.

I think they'll do it, but only because they can't possibly play as badly as they did against Algeria. And after that, they go into the pot with seven other countries who could win the tournament.

I said before kick-off that it was impossible to pick a winner because there was no outstanding team, just eight who were pretty well much of a muchness.

I've now reduced that figure to seven because there is no way back for France after their shenanigans. The Irish won't know whether to laugh or cry.

Me? I'm just crying after what I've seen of the World Cup so far. It ain't what it used to be...