Well I hate to say I told you so, but last night I, along with millions of other ordinary English football fans showed that all along we knew something that Brian Barwick and his highly paid associates did not: Steve McClaren is not, and never has been the right man to lead English football to glory.

The cost of this monumental error of judgement? A Summer of trying to hide away from the TV and newspapers while the elite of Europe battle it out for glory in Austria and Switzerland, not to mention the estimated £1.5 billion loss to the British economy. The FA also stand to lose out on millions, as a result of non qualification.

Anyone who thought Wembley tickets were expensive now better get used to it, because it will be us the fans who ultimately foot the bill.

England are kind of like the International version of Newcastle United.

We think we are great but we're not, we have a side filled with so called superstars who don't deliver, we can't defend and despite making a lot of noise about how good we are, we haven't won anything for years and don't look likely to change that fact any time soon.

I must admit that when I first saw McLaren's team for the game against Croatia I thought "fair play to him".

For the first time it had the look of a side that he actually felt he should pick, rather than playing the usual fantasy football, with his small circle of ever-present Celebs.

However, brave as his selection may have been, his choices showed him up for what he is, tactically inept and clueless about team selection.

Too many players let their country down against Croatia, who despite being supported by a population of merely 4.5 million, and containing a 36 year old in their side, looked far superior in every way.

The much-maligned Gerrard/Lampard axis has had its day now. Even with Gareth Barry mopping up behind them, giving them license to roam, neither of these supposed World Class players made any impact whatsoever, and brave decisions now need to be made.

Wayne Bridge must never play for his country, or even a club again, on last nights showing and the rest of the side emerged with very little credit, with the exception of David Beckham, whom McClaren once decided he didn't need, and Peter Crouch.

Crouch is a very raw player in my opinion, and although Rovers are blessed with strikers at the moment, I see him as just the kind of player that Mark Hughes could make something of.

Anyway, on to next year. My best mate Ollie has Croatian family ties so I will be following their fortunes next Summer and they are my dark horse to win the competition.

The next England Boss? Again a brave decision needs to be made, not a safe one.

I for one don't care about the nationality, even a Scot would do.

I have been hearing good things about a guy called Owen Coyle lately, who despite recent success I fear may be about to see a down turn in his career.

Perhaps we should give him a shout?