So yet another international encounter passes by where England have been outplayed and outthought from the first whistle.
France rolled into Wembley Stadium branded as a side in transition under new manager Laurent Blanc, but this couldn’t be further from the truth after their three pronged attack of Karim Benzema, Samir Nasri and Florent Malouda tore into the Three Lions, handing the hosts a big lesson in how to be a force at international level.
This is the same lesson dished out by the likes of Spain, Holland, Brazil and Germany during Fabio Capello’s reign in the hotseat and let’s be honest, England simply does not have the talent to rub shoulders with these giants at the moment.
However, there is one lesson that Capello continues to ignore with every single squad selection he makes and that is that Gareth Barry is quite simply not up to the standard of international football.
It is amazing to think that the nation appeared to be waiting with baited breath six months ago as to whether Barry would recover from injury in time to earn a seat on the plane to South Africa.
Capello gave the current Manchester City midfielder ample time to prove his fitness and subsequently Barry snatched the opportunity with both hands.
Now think back, just how did England’s World Cup exit come about?
Capello’s troops were outclassed by their German counterparts, with Barry at fault for two of their four goals.
In fact everyone’s abiding memory of that fateful afternoon is 29-year-old Barry left embarrassingly in the wake of Mesut Ozil as the now Real Madrid star set up his nation’s fourth goal of the tie.
Granted, the Germany clash was just one match but Barry’s inadequacies are there for all to see on a weekly basis for City in the Premier League, while yesterday evening’s loss to France produced normal service from the former Aston Villa man.
The midfielder operates in a holding role which has been generated in recent times to allow the creative players in the side to inflict damage on the opposition, with the likes of Barry tagged as ‘destroyers.’
Unfortunately, Barry doesn’t have the pace, technique or aggression to play this role successfully.
Barry was making his 28th England appearance under the Capello regime and the supporters were forced to witness another night’s football where Barry continued to surrender possession and concede fouls committed on those far too quick for him.
Time and again Yoann Gourcuff sauntered away from Barry with apparent ease and this is how the move for the first French goal started.
His performance was so cringe-worthy that Capello had seen enough after 45 minutes, hauling Barry from the field of play or in other words, putting people out of their misery.
Let’s hope this is a sign of lesson finally learnt for Capello, after all the options are now there to freshen things up.
Jordan Henderson, Jack Wilshere and Jack Rodwell have all lit up the Premiership over the last 12 months, and it’s about time they were given a chance to prove themselves on the biggest stage of them all.
Barry has had his chance, and not once has he is proved himself worthy of it.