Bent Straight In

Second chances are rare things in sport but England were given a massive life line this weekend as Israel maintained an impressive home record by beating Russia 2-1 in Tel Aviv.

Now all England need to do is not lose to current group leaders Croatia
on Wednesday at Wembley.

This whole qualifying campaign has been embarrassing, but now England have the unexpected opportunity to top the group if they can win 2-0 or by a three goal margin.

That is far from certain however as England's goal scoring options look set to be based on a giraffe and a couple of North London bench warmers.

Crouch will play, but if he has a partner up front he is unlikely to have played much football this season.

Between them, Defoe and Bent have made 10 starts and scored 7 goals, not great figures, but then choices are limited.

The leading English goal scorer in the premiership is U21 player Agbonlahor with 5 and fans favourite Lee Bowyer one behind with 4.

A Long Journey

It has been more than two years since McClaren kicked off his tenure with the England team in the first game of the qualifying tournament.

That day England beat Andorra 5-0 with Defoe scoring twice and Phillip Neville getting an assist. Hmmm.... Phillip Neville....

Anyway, two years and a string of disappointing results later and England look set to have another chance of letting us down at a major championship.

Sadly they look likely to be the only British team, unless David Healy can once again inspire N.Ireland to an historic win in Spain and Latvia win in Stockholm.