Psycho's stars stunned by Czech's

Pearce's Under 21s outfit were dumped out of the European Championships in typical English fashion by a side who did not contain a single player who would command a place in a Premier league side. The incapable captain Michael Mancienne summed up the deluded mindset of English players and fans by blaming the defeat on the absence of Jack Wilshere. Let's not kid ourselves, we could have had Lionel Messi on that pitch and we still wouldn't have looked convincing. Smalling and Jones for 89 minutes had the Czech attack locked in their pockets until they were abandoned by their inept midfield. £20m man Jordan Henderson tried in vain to pick the ball up from deep and start a patient attack; but due to Psycho's suspect team selection and tactics every offensive was readable at best.

Until the introduction of Arsenal's Henri Lansbury there was no link between the midfield and the attack. Unfortunately, as has been a common theme of these Championships, Lansbury replaced the aforementioned Henderson rather than his midfield partner Fabrice Muamba. The Bolton destroyer contributed nothing to England's forward play in a game where only a win would do. Having found a goal through a fantastic combination between Sturridge and scorer Wellbeck, England lost the plot. Our negative tactics were finally looking as if they would wreak some ill deserved rewards, and then we made our most attacking substitution of the entire tournament - Albrighton of Villa replacing Tom Cleverely after a poor performance from the Wigan loanee. Sturridge was allowed to continuously lose the ball and as the Czech's shifted into gear Muamba was stranded in midfield.

From the very outset, Pearce's smash-mouth style was clearly doing his side's nerves no favours. When attempting to adopt a more patient style, hearing your coach ranting and raving like a man possessed sends out a rather contradictory message - hence the numerous clips of England players losing the ball. Most are agreed that this is the final straw and that England need to quit their direct, high tempo style when trying to break down their opposition. On the occasions we got the ball down and played, our superiority was apparent. However, periods of sustained possession were few and far between - and a one goal lead is never enough in a must-win situation.