England’s worst ever World Cup XI: From Leighton Baines to Jeff Astle, we run through the flops who have struggled on the biggest stage
England fans have endured some miserable campaigns and some horrific performances - here's our best of the worst
THE World Cup, with two notable exceptions, has not exactly showcased English football at its best.
Even so, there have been plenty of memorable performances by outstanding players.
A World Cup highlights package would be dominated by the Boys of 66, of course, with walk-on roles for Bobby Robson’s 1990 squad, Michael Owen’s wonder goal against Argentina in 1998 and a few other moments of high drama.
But just as big a part of the story are the debacles and disasters.
So while there would be plenty of arguments, and contenders, for the best England World Cup XI of all time, we have no shortage of options for the other composite team.
So here SunSport does the hard work for you.
We present: England’s Worst World Cup XI (“military 4-4-2”, of course!).
Goalkeeper
Plenty of competition here.
Bert Williams, in goal for the 1950 humiliation by the USA in Belo Horizonte or Gil Merrick, who conceded eight in just three games in 1954.
Ron Springett had a horror-show against Brazil in 1962, as did David Seaman 40 years later, while Peter Bonetti will always be recalled for his shocker against West Germany in Leon in 1970.
But one moment of madness in Rustenburg stands out.
It was barely a back-pass from Clint Dempsey but it went straight through Rob Green, summing up what was to be a shambolic 2010 campaign.
Right back
Don Howe copped plenty of flak as England fell short in 1958 although Jimmy Armfield was not blamed for the 5-0 quarter-final mauling by Brazil four years later.
Owen Hargreaves was an unlikely choice in the role against Ecuador in the last 16 in 2006.
But bottom of the class, Huddersfield’s Ron Staniforth was all over the place in that 4-2 Uruguay humbling in 1954.
Centre-backs
Plenty of hard-working but decidedly ordinary options.
Few of a certain age will forget the sight of Terry Fenwick trailing behind Diego Maradona in the Azteca in 1986 and, despite his goal against Germany in 2010, Matthew Upson showed why he had arrived in South Africa as fifth choice.
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But 2014 was such a recent disaster that it is hard to look at Phil Jagielka for his displays against Italy and Uruguay.
Gary Cahill would be a fair partner but even Brighton fans may not believe Steve Foster won his third and last cap against Kuwait in 1982.
Left back
Ray Wilson was torn a new one by Garrincha in 1962 but his qualities were to emerge for all to see in ‘66.
Indeed, while England have not performed as expected too many times, it is rare for the left-back to have been in the line of fire.
Graeme Le Saux was caught out against Romania in 1998 but otherwise played well.
But in 2014 Roy Hodgson had to choose between his stalwart veteran, the rookie kid and the steady Eddie who was in situ.
He left Ashley Cole behind and picked Luke Shaw for the future.
Fabio Capello had cut Leighton Baines in 2010 because he felt the Everton defender was homesick - in Austria.
Sadly the likeable and popular Goodison man seemed out of his depth in Brazil.
Right midfield
Terry Paine’s sole contribution to the 1966 triumph was his limited appearance against Mexico in England’s second game but it is hard to damn him for that.
Aaron Lennon’s 2006 promise had evaporated when he played as abjectly as the rest in the goalless, soulless draw with Algeria four years later.
But many will say Peter Brabrook’s England debut, in the 1958 play-off defeat by the Soviet Union, was as bad as it gets.
Central midfield
Three World Cup tournaments, 10 matches, no goals.
Statistics which will always haunt Frank Lampard.
But the anguish of the “goal that never was” against Germany should keep the Chelsea ace out of our infamous XI. Others, though, did far less.
Ron Flowers’ slip against Hungary was so costly in 1962, Jordan Henderson struggled in Brazil. So who are our underwhelming anchors?
The late, great Ray Wilkins was a fine player and captain but becoming the first England player sent off at a World Cup, against Morocco in 1986 is a black mark.
And alongside him, Laurie Hughes, whose three England appearances were all in the 1950 tournament which embarrassed the nation.
Sorry, Laurie.
Left midfield
Watching an unfit Gareth Barry trailing in the wake of Mesut Ozil in Bloemfontein was beyond painful but the injuries meant he probably should not have been in South Africa in the first place.
Danny Welbeck failed to shine in Brazil, Graham Rix was adequate but far from creative in 1982.
But Alan A'Court, brought into a struggling side in 1958, was described at the time as “a second-class player”.
Damning indeed.
Second striker
Wayne Rooney’s struggles at the World Cup, where he twice turned up unfit and then failed to shine in his third chance, despite finally scoring, means he must be in contention.
But while Rooney failed to hit the expected heights, plenty got nowhere near even that level.
Sadly, the miserable debut experienced by Wolves’ Peter Broadbent in that 1958 play-off gets him in the starting side.
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Striker
Strikers are feted for their goals, but damned by their misses. And the big misses count even more at the highest level.
Emile Heskey actually did score at the World Cup, against Denmark in 2002, while Mark Hateley’s shockers against Portugal and Morocco in 1986 mean he must be a shout.
But while Gordon Banks’ save from Pele remains one of the great England World Cup highlights, along with Bobby Moore’s tackle, the culmination of the move that followed was a truly shocking effort, wide of the gaping goal, by Jeff Astle.
The West Brom legend failed to score against the Czech Republic as well, which ended his England career.
So there it is. A team for all the ages: Green; Staniforth, Foster, Jagielka, Baines; Brabrook, Wilkins, Hughes, A Court; Broadbent, Astle.
Let’s just hope there aren’t too many more contenders by the end of this tournament.
