WORLD CUP 2010: Lacklustre England held by Algeria

 ENGLAND 0 ALGERIA 0

 FABIO Capello needs to find a new blueprint for success and fast as his best laid plans for World Cup glory were exposed for all to see by minnows Algeria in Cape Town.

FUMING: Fabio Capello didn't hide his emotions as England struggled to get going against Algeria in Cape Town (Getty Images)

England will still progress to the knockout stages if they beat Slovenia - held to a 2-2 draw by the USA earlier in the day - in their concluding Group C match next Wednesday.

But on this evidence that is no foregone conclusion and many more of these performances - following an equally unconvincing share of the spoils against the USA six days ago - and the chances of advancing much further look unlikely.

Capello showed his ruthless streak by dropping Robert Green, after his clanger in Rustenburg, and giving David James his first appearance in three World Cup Finals.

But his side looked anxious and lacklustre and repeatedly appeared frustrated as the Algerians reveled in the very obvious difficulties their rivals were experiencing.

The returning Gareth Barry looked the sharpest player on the pitch in the first half, covering plenty of ground in defence and attack.

Wayne Rooney looked totally despondent as he struggled to impose himself while Frank Lampard and an out-of-sorts Steven Gerrard both spurned half chances as a fuming Capello reached boiling point on the touchline.

And even some strong words at half-time didn't stiffen their resolve as England simply failed to find their rhythm, sloppy errors creeping in, their obvious anxiety increasing as the minutes ticked by.

Algeria, who had won just one of their previous six games, increasingly looked the better team as England rocked on their heels, Jamie Carragher adding to Capello's defensive problems after picking up a yellow card that will rule him out of Wednesday's final group match in Port Elizabeth.

Aaron Lennon made way for Shaun Wright-Phillips and Jermain Defoe took over from Emile Heskey as Capello shuffled his pack and finally moved Gerrard into his favoured role in the centre of midfield.

For a moment it seemed the shift might breakdown Algeria's resolve and while Peter Crouch's late introduction for Barry underlined Capello's intent, England were restricted to a series of speculative strikes from distance, that were greeted with boos from their travelling support that even drowned out the vuvuzelas.

"Nice to see your home fans booing you, you football supporters," fumed Rooney sarcastically to a television camera as he trudged off the pitch.