In the grand scheme of things, it mattered little, few tears will be shed. At the start of the week when the squad communed for duty, the final two qualifying matches were largely inconsequential for England, mildly incentivised by the prospect of being able to boast a 100% record throughout the campaign. The winning streak was safely brought to a halt by an energetic Ukraine performance, one which resembled a team enthusiastically chasing the play-off carrot. In all truth it was no surprise the Ukrainians set about the task with more vigour than their already qualified counterparts, and once another worrying lapse from Rio Ferdinand preceded Rob Green's dismissal, the chances of England getting anything tangible from the game faded quicker than the flare smoke which had smothered the Dnipro Arena.
Positives were few for Fabio Capello, with the sending off exasperating problems, as only 14 early minutes of numerical parity were possible to partially view the performance. Green's opportunity to impress was short-lived, albeit slightly unfortunate. After that, Aaron Lennon was sacrificed and so terminating the developing bond between himself and Glen Johnson. So too was the Wayne Rooney-Emile Heskey partnership, with the former hauled back into midfield leaving the latter high and dry up-front. Nothing new was learnt.
In a sense, how you qualify has little bearing once the ribbon's cut in Johannesburg come Friday June 11. If you're in it, you can win it. The hard yards start after qualification, with nine months before the big kick-off to hone the finished article, despite an impressive qualifying campaign, England are anything but.
If we learnt nothing new from Saturday’s performance, then certain dilemmas were again reinforced. The most immediate concerns surround a settled Goalkeeper and a lead striker to operate with Rooney. Neither post has been suitably filled, with the situation becoming murkier rather than clearer as time elapses. Between the sticks, based on domestic form, David James leads the pack by a few lengths, but he has never transmitted that level of performance consistently onto the international stage. The pretenders - Green and Ben Foster - are doing little to command the gloves.
Further forward and the role of Emile Heskey is becoming a worry, although the notion of a little and large duo in attack seems to be here to stay. Heskey's woeful goal-scoring ratio is criminally overlooked, and even worse, is justified by claims that his work rate and hold-up play serves him for a place in the team. Saturday's game saw the Villa man stranded without support for large parts, but he never looked like a viable out-ball. His leaden touch and immobility saw him surrender possession frequently, allowing the opposition to regain control too easily. Such turnover of the ball has proved fatal in tournaments past, namely Brazil in 2002 and the Portuguese humblings in 2004 and 2006. Unfortunately, Carlton Cole also looks short of genuine international pedigree, whilst the even more immobile Peter Crouch is likely to be used as a desperation substitute. Should Capello trust the little and little combo, Jermaine Defoe apart, we are also thin on the ground. Are you ready Michael Owen?
The full extent of the Three Lions striking dearth should become apparent against Belarus at Wembley on Wednesday night, as Rooney has pulled out with a calf strain. The creation of a double act permed from Heskey, Cole, Crouch and Gabriel Agbonlahor does not inspire too much confidence should anything happen to Rooney. Argentina, prat-falling their way through the South American qualifiers, had Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero to call from the bench last time out. Big difference.
The Belarus game should grant the chance for a few faces to press their claims for starting X1 and squad places. James Milner has fleetingly impressed so far, Michael Carrick should get more chances to reproduce his club form, and Aaron Lennon will want to cement his place on the right flank. It may also be time to have a look at who's going to come forward as the main rival to John Terry and Ferdinand's previously unchallenged perches. Ferdinand certainly needs to reappraise his position following a calendar year of patchy form and fitness.
The defeat to the Ukraine may become a blessing, as they will not head to South Africa carrying the expectation and potential burden collecting maximum points could bring. The delirium of the first eight performances has been tapered slightly, and a sense of perspective has been regained. As England prepare for their last competitive match before the World Cup begins, there is no doubt Capello has progressed the team since he's been in charge. Progressed only to the extent of a glossy qualification, but much work is left to do.
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