The chant came from the Welsh fans but many of their England counterparts would have wholeheartedly agreed. “Fourth in the World, you’re having a laugh” – a justified critique of a lacklustre display that saw Fabio Capello’s side limp past a rejuvenated Wales.

If ever proof were needed that the FIFA Rankings are a monumental waste of time, this game provided it in spades. England, supposedly the World’s fourth best team, were kept at bay for most of the game by the team ranked 117th in the World, in between Haiti and Grenada.

Those expecting a Welsh whitewash were in for a long night. The England midfield, built around Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry and James Milner was sorely lacking a creative spark and Wales proved once again that England have great difficulties unlocking a disciplined back four that is prepared to sit deep and be patient.

For all Wayne Rooney’s recent brilliance, he looked over-confident, chipping the ball twenty yards over from outside the box, exasperated at a lack of decent service, and confounded by a solid back four.

As ever, England’s problems stemmed from a basic inability to keep the ball. All too often possession was gifted away and pressure allowed to wane. The England side which so ably bossed Bulgaria down the flanks on Friday night made too many basic errors against a feisty Wales defence and found themselves on the back foot far more often than they would have liked.

Moreover, had Wales had a little more luck on their side they could have easily taken what would have been a well-deserved point away from Wembley, but for Robert Earnshaw’s baffling open-goal miss from six yards on 76 minutes.

England’s performance must leave Fabio Capello looking to change things before the trip to Montenegro next month. Although England only need a point from that game to qualify – and there is little doubt that they will – England have to get out of the mentality that poor performances are acceptable as long as they come away with three points.

One only need look back to last summer to see how poorly-prepared England were for the World Cup, and how a lack of tactical nous and a proper game plan saw England dismantled by Germany after scraping through the group stages.

If such a change is to come, many will argue it must be by changing personnel. Although undeserving of the stick he is getting lately, Lampard was arguably England’s worst player last night. While it is true that Wales looked more confident after his substitution, Lampard’s inability to provide anything like a decent ball into the box for Rooney saw the Manchester United forward coming deeper and deeper into his own half to get the ball. It seems old habits die hard.

Milner and Barry, meanwhile, were also back to their bad old ways. Gone was England’s quick interplay and collective understanding. England were one-dimensional. One shudders to think how England’s love of playing ten sideways passes in a row before hoofing the ball way upfield will be treated by the Spanish or the Dutch.

Such home truths may surface sooner than anticipated, as, if England qualify for the Euro 2012 Finals, they will play friendlies against Spain and Holland in November. A repeat of last night’s performance against either of those two sides will not go unpunished.

On a night where only Ashley Young, Ashley Cole and Stewart Downing turned in a decent display for England, Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey was named man of the match.

However unusual it may be for a visiting player to win the man of the match award, especially a Welshman at Wembley, there can be few compaints.

Ramsey was excellent for Wales, as was Gareth Bale. It took the attentions of James Milner, Ashley Cole and a poor decision from a linesman to keep Bale at bay. Had the flag not wrongly declared Bale offside, he would have had Joe Hart’s goal at his mercy early in the second half. Again England were spared some blushes.

So, despite the result, a hugely frustrating night for England, but a very promising one for Wales whose progression under Gary Speed is marked. Had the suspended Craig Bellamy been playing, things could well have been different.

Wembley, though, still proves too grand a stage for England. If the weight of expectation is too great at English football’s spiritual home, there can be little hope for England’s chances in Poland and the Ukraine.

Forget being the fourth best team in the World, Fabio Capello needs to stop the team playing like the fourth best team in Britain.