STEWART DOWNING provided the only real positive for England in their narrow victory over Wales.

I was really impressed with the way the Liverpool winger took on his man and whipped some great crosses into the box.

Downing put the goal on a plate for Ashley Young and without that piece of invention England would have been in serious trouble.

I couldn’t believe how poor the game was. Usually I wait until there is a break in the play before making a cup of tea but during Tuesday’s game I just got up and did it safe in the knowledge I wasn’t going to miss anything.

Wales are bottom of the group but England made such hard work of beating them. Even after going in front they didn’t make much of an effort to score any more goals.

It was very negative and they would have been punished if Robert Earnshaw hadn’t missed that great chance late on.

England don’t seem to have improved at all under Fabio Capello. It looks like they will qualify for the European Championships but we’re not going to trouble the top teams.

I think there is a problem in this county with getting young players through.

Their chances at club level are being limited by the amount of players from overseas we’ve got playing here now. It’s something that needs to be addressed.