The Threat Posed By Andorra

England are tantalisingly close to World Cup qualification after the breathtaking victory over Kazakhstan and the draw between Croatia and Ukraine. Three points won't guarantee a place in South Africa but it takes us very close.

Some people who like to pick holes will criticise yesterday's performance: should Green have done better on that disallowed goal?; could Upson's distribution have been better?; could my daughter have done better at right back than Glenn "12 Million Target" Johnson?; could the passing have been improved by directing it in the general area of players in white shirts?; could Walcott have done better with his crosses?; could Rooney have looked a bit more interested in the first half?; could we have looked a a trifle less vulnerable when the Borats ran at us?; couldn't we have found a slightly younger substitute to send on when the game was already won?; has Capello had a spread bet on how many caps Beckham will finally end up with?

The fact remains, however, that we won; and we won by four clear goals. How many times have disjointed England performances led to frustrating draws in the past? Not under Capello. Six competitive games played, six competitive games won, that record speaks for itself - and make no mistakes, the Borats away was a potential banana skin! Look at the way Capello has transformed Rooney in an England shirt - he is now the goal a game machine that we thought we needed Owen to be - whilst playing as an advanced midfield player! Yes Gerrard might be more effective playing inside but where did the Barry and Heskey goals come from? Gerrard! Sometimes, if a player is good enough, he adapts for the good of the team! Perhaps, with more time together, we can get Gerrard and Rooney interchanging more.

Now we come to the mighty Andorra. This is a vital game and Capello will want to bank the three points but I understand that, given the strength of the opposition, he is considering a few alternative options for the match. 'Arry's wife may get a game having edged ahead of Bent in the race for South Africa, Heather Mills may replace Glenn Johnson at right back and Ray Clemence has found a length of old rope in his garage that fancies the goalkeeper's match fee! Even with those selections my £20 double (struck in December) on Newcastle to go down and England to win the World Cup would still look healthy. 7-0 on Wednesday.

(By the way, how clever is that picture as a match for this article! Even down to Seaman's clothes! And people think I throw this blog together!)