Mick Dennis told The Supplement that England's loss to Brazil highlighted their lack of depth.
Lessons learnt from Brazil friendly
Mick Dennis told
The Supplement that England's loss to Brazil highlighted their lack of depth.
A makeshift England side lost 1-0 to Brazil in a friendly in Doha as Nilmar scored the only goal of the game.
With nine of what would be considered Fabio Capello's first-choice players missing through injury, understudies were offered the chance to impress ahead of the World Cup finals, but Nilmar scored the second-half goal to condemn England to defeat.
"I think the fact that it was in Doha is the first thing we should comment on, said Dennis on
The Supplement.
"It was in Doha because we had done a deal when we played at home to Brazil that we would play them that we would play them again and Brazil take their product where they are paid the most so we end up playing a friendly international in Doha. That is the future - football fans not seeing international games on their home track but going where the money is.
"That led to clandestine deals with premiership Clubs not to miss players on that trip - a lot of the players who were injured or who pulled out would have played if it was a serious competitive match.
"But Capello would have learned a few things and had a few things confirmed in that game, however it would not have been good news.
"We have got a real problem at right back - when Glenn Johnson is available he will play although defending is not his strong suite. Wayne Bridge is so far behind Ashley Cole in terms of quality left back as to be playing a different game. As for our two standing centre backs, well neither has the confidence to take the lead role. We have some real defensive frailties.
"What the problems underline in my mind is that the Premier League has put us into this situation. To be an Englishman playing in the Premier League you have to be very good. So we have some players who are outstanding but we do not have strength in depth. We are picking our national team from fewer people than you would pick a school team from. After you get past the first fifteen then it gets pretty thin.
"There were some positives," added the
Daily Express man.
"I think that Gareth Barry has a presence about him now - he looks like a proper international. James Milner has clearly got to be on the plane to South Africa, he is a really good player to bring in.
"We have a reasonable squad but our strength in depth is a worry and if we pick up critical injuries just ahead of SA then we may struggle."
