Re-Tire

“When we are tired, we are attacked by ideas we conquered long ago” - Friedrich Nietzsche (German classical Scholar, Philosopher and Critic of culture, 1844-1900). If anyone needed a reason for Fabio Capello's retreat to the Milan 4-4-2 when things went pear shaped for England against Switzerland then, with respect, the words of Nietszche put it more succinctly than Townsend, Reid, Chiles or Southgate.

England were tired claimed the Italian. Capello's latest attempt to deflect from the brutal reality that England cannot change its football overnight may not have been without substance, yet it is increasingly apparent that the time and effort to change the way England play is not something that interests a coach on the brink of retirement.

Forget the winter breaks, the long European competitions, or even blaming the Far-East commercial tours - England cannot keep possession of the football. Until they learn how to do so they will be forever tired when it comes to the crunch.

In a season when the Barcelona way became the only for the game's brighter thinkers
Pedro played 54 games, Messi 55 and Xavi 50. The tired looking James Milner has played 28 games at Manchester City while the fading Frank Lampard managed only 32.
Jack Wilshire, England's shining light had more in common with his Barcelona peers and not just in his energetic passing and movement and intelligent use of the ball. Wilshire amassed 49 games with Arsenal. The message is simple - keep ball and you don't tire!

Saturday was a chance for others to make their mark. No better stage then for the Footballer of the Year in England to show the qualities that make him the journalists' favourite.

Parker is modest, well liked, plays with a big heart and looks totally committed to even the most lost of causes. Perfect for West Ham then - sadly perfect for the current England set-up.

Should a captain of a side that finished bottom of the Premier League be awarded Football Writers’ Player of the Year when he came up against other candidates that inspired their sides to success?

Success is not always something well rewarded in England. It is not a stretch to say that Parker got the trophy that every junior footballer used to dread - 'the most improved player'. If Parker was a player of true quality, a game changer you may say, then he would be derided for allowing West Ham to plummet the way they did.

If he was a celebrated foreign star of high quality he would be accused of not 'playing to his full potential'. Everybody knows that Parker is not of that standing. He is not a Stephen Gerrard or a Wayne Rooney. Instead, Parker has been elevated in the media with an agenda that says 'we want passion'. Parker was not the best player in the Premier League. Let's face facts - there may be a host of managers who admire his undoubted qualities - but we are not talking £30 million. There are a host of other players who would command that fee. Even the reserve England left-back.

Lampard and Parker put in performances that were made to look pedestrian once more at Wembley, as much by Wilshire's mobility than anything the Swiss did. Thankfully Wilshire has been nurtured by Arsene Wenger. He has been encouraged to want the ball and keep the ball. Arsenal may not win much domestically but their signature players shine bright at international level.

Capello can feel aggrieved to some extent. If Darren Bent had taken the most simple of chances then there would be plenty ready to blue-sky the uncomfortable evening.

Milner, Bent and Lampard are good players, hard workers but not excellent footballers who want the ball at their feet; the kind of players who look to drive at the opposition with attacking ideas. These are the players who will satisfy any of the OPTA stats but will rarely satisfy supporters.

Darren Bent will have plenty of chances in the most mundane of Premier League games. The balls that fly across the box and the temp of the 90 minutes will give him opportunities to nail that goal-per-games ratio. At international level it is a different story. It is often said that goalkeepers and defenders need the ultimate concentration to stay in the game - the same can be said for strikers.

International strikers are not always the best at club level. They just need the cold-blooded killer instinct. Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose have made a career at tournaments for Germany. They return home heroes and make little impact at club level. They play the game with almost a vacant stare and then the punish the opposition. Robbie Keane comes alive in the international arena but cannot settle at one club. Perhaps England should look a little closer for that kind of striker. Michael Owen may just fit the bill.