David James has dismissed Fabio Capello’s claim that England played with fear against Algeria and says they will bounce back by beating Slovenia. (England 1/2 to win).

England put in an awful display during the 0-0 draw against Algeria on Friday night to leave many fans wondering what has happened to the team that qualified for the finals with ease.

Hopes and expectations were raised after the Three Lions qualified in style, but they looked a shadow of that side as they struggled to break down a resolute Algerian side.

Once again England’s top players who perform week in week out in the Premier and Champions League against the top players in Europe failed to show up.

They are supposed to be world class but they did not show that last night. It looked like they were playing with fear and with the weight of the nation on their shoulders and that would be a viable explanation.

Capello hinted as much after the game, but goalkeeper James is having none of it and says they just struggled to break down a side that set their stall out for the draw.

Well Lampard, Gerrard and Rooney come up against teams like that every week in the Premier League and do not seem to have a problem then.

“Did he?” retorted James when told Capello said they played with fear. “Arguably it is more frustration than fear. You are usually playing matches when the opposition wants to win. It is very difficult when you are up against a side who seem not to want to lose.

“You are trying to work out the way to unlock a defence. They did what they needed to do. It was very frustrating.”

It was also very frustrating to watch and the England fans who have spent their hard earned cash to travel out to South Africa will demand more against Slovenia or the boos will be ringing out again.

However James is confident there will be no repeat and says a win is on the cards.

“We are tight enough to recover and win this game,” he added. “I don’t have any doubts about that at all. The reality is if we get a good win on Wednesday we finish top of the group.

“Regardless of whether we win one and draw two or win all three, you are top, which is what our aim was. I have the utmost confidence in our squad.”

At this moment in time the fans don’t and it will take a big performance on Wednesday to get them back on side.

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