In fact I haven’t seen a bar that low at Wembley since a group of men in kilts sat on it celebrating in 1977.

This week’s friendly was entertaining enough.

But it highlighted the fact that England are nearer to Scotland in terms of world football than the likes of Spain and Germany.

A game where Danny Welbeck wins man-of-the-match and an honest toiler like Rickie Lambert scores the winner says its all about the current state of English football.

Our defence looks horribly shaky through the middle and our only attacking threat is still from set pieces and quick through balls.

The elephant in the room again was Wayne Rooney.

Perhaps the pundits were dazzled by Gordon Strachan’s barnet but they were surely being kind talking-up another average performance from Rooney.

I fear our best bet for World Cup qualification/success is quick balls to pacy front men and effective use of the dead ball.

It’s a bit depressing but we can’t live with the best at their own game so we have to play to our strengths in the short term.

Those tactics remind me of one man – Big Sam at West Ham.

And the Hammers are the bedrock of a first day treble.

Newly promoted Cardiff are the visitors to Upton Park and I expect Allardyce’s men to give them a sobering welcome to the Premier League.

We’ll make it an all London treble alongside the Irons with Arsenal fancied to beat Aston Villa and Spurs to prove too good for Crystal Palace.

Those three pay 4/1 which seems a decent price on opening day and hopefully a winning start to another season.

I’ll be taking in a traditional East End curry on Green Street before the big game and look forward to swopping pleasantries with our Welsh guests.

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