Alan Smith says English clubs must bring back pace and intensity

Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith believes English sides need to inject more pace and intensity into their performances in order to improve their fortunes in European competitions.

Everton's exit at the hands of Dynamo Kiev on Thursday means England have failed to produce a European quarter-finalist for the first time since the 1992/93 season.

This follows a disappointing week in which Arsenal and Manchester City were knocked out of the Champions League, with Chelsea dropping out the week before.

I think we’ve tried to play more tactically in recent years and haven’t been at the same level because of that.

Former Arsenal and England striker Smith insists success in past campaigns was a result of playing a style which clubs on the continent struggled to cope with.

"I think we've lost that intensity a little bit. In years gone by when English sides were successful, we played the game at a pace which European clubs struggled to deal with," he said.

"I think we’ve tried to play more tactically in recent years and haven’t been at the same level because of that. We should go back to playing to the strengths that English football has with lots of pace and intensity."

Despite their failure to negotiate Paris Saint-Germain last week, Smith is convinced Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea remain a major force in European football.

'Disappointed'

"I don’t think you can look too much into the way they played against PSG," he said.

"Chelsea are one of the best teams in Europe, and are very close, but Mourinho will be disappointed with the manner of the defeat last week."

Chelsea, along with Arsenal, were knocked out of the Champions League on away goals which has started a debate as to whether the ruling should be abolished.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes away goals should only count after extra-time, and Smith, who played for the Gunners for eight years between 1987 and 1995, is in total agreement.

"I don't think the away goals rule has the desired effect it had when it was first introduced," he said. "The home teams are more concerned about not conceding that crucial away goal rather than trying to score one for themselves.

"I don't think Wenger wants to labour the point too much because it may just be seen as sour grapes because they were knocked out."