But the Ukraine “game” had me nearly slipping into a coma saved only by bouts of intense frustration and anger.

The ITV commentary team were nearly as bad as both sides masquerading on the pitch as world-class sportsmen.

We had the usual cliches about “a good point” and “job done in a tough away fixture.”

While match commentator Clive Tyldesley seemed to be watching in a parallel universe where England were playing quite well.

But come on. Who really wants to watch that that sort of performance? And what on earth are we going to achieve in Brazil playing like that?

My throat gave-up after twenty minutes shouting at the screen every time Jack Wilshere gave the ball away.

And I was almost going to call the police in the second half to report Frank Lampard as a missing person until he popped up in the final minutes to miss a header from two yards.

At times the action was comical as players passed the ball off the pitch or lumped it forward to imaginary colleagues.

Ukraine are a very ordinary side – they have already been held to a draw in the group by mighty Moldova.

But that is the level I fear England are now playing at.

We don’t have the world class players of other sides. But now we have stupefying caution and a lack of English fire as extra limitations.

We all know we won’t win the World Cup next year.

But let’s go out on the front foot rather than limping home via the back-door after stinking the tournament out.

Talking of poor form, Betting Spy has racked-up a perfect three-out-of-three losing weeks since the start of the season.

It’s time to turn it around so here’s a little 5/1 treble which fits the bill.

Let’s take Villa to beat Newcastle at home while Man City and Arsenal can win on the road at Stoke and Sunderland respectively.

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Running Total for all bets this season to a £10 stake:   £-30.00