I HOLD my hands up. It's a fair cop.

Earlier this week, I said in this blog that I thought England would be on the wrong end of a hiding against the Germans in Berlin with such an inexperienced side.

How wrong could I have been?

The young Lions put in an exceptional performance against Germany on Wednesday night, controlling the game from beginning to end.

And it's certainly given Fabio Capello food for thought, especially with so many "injuries".

The likes of Gabriel Agbonlahor, Matthew Upson, Michael Carrick and Stewart Downing have made very strong cases to start in England's next friendly fixture against Slovakia in March, which is quickly followed by a vital World Cup qualifier against the Ukraine on April 1.

It could also serve as a reminder to those who don't feel that friendlies are that important.

Maybe a seat on the bench would show some of England's walking wounded that playing for your country is a privilege, not a right.

The players who faced the Germans have more than proved they are able to play at the highest level (there can't be many more difficult fixtures to play in than Germany away) and should now be in Capello's mind when he names his next squad.

The names of those who weren't there should also feature highly in the England coach's mind.