SOME GOOD NEWS FOR ENGLAND FANS?
This will perk you up a bit. Jose Mourinho is reportedly interested in taking the England job, if and when Steve McClaren does one after failing to qualify for Euro 2008.
The Sun quotes the ever-reliable 'close pal' as saying the former Chelski boss would be 'willing to discuss' the role with the FA.
However, The Times is less optimistic, claiming that similar sources close to the Special One have made it clear that he wants to manage a club side
* * *
PAUL ROBINSON
Failed to cover himself in glory. Made hard work of a long-range shot that he just managed to tip on to the post and palmed Berezutsky's shot into danger rather than safety for Pavlychenko's winner.
England's worst first-choice goalkeeper in living memory even if you can recall rationing.
Rating: 5 (out of ten)
MICAH RICHARDS
One terrific intervention early in the second half saved England from probable concession, but will rue his failure just minutes before to connect with Steven Gerrard's free-kick when the visitors were still leading.
A terrific long-term prospect for his country even if his country's short-term prospects are decidedly gloomy.
Rating: 6.
RIO FERDINAND
No complaints. From the moment that he sung the National Anthem with unusual gusto it was evident that Ferdinand was relishing the extra responsibility that John Terry's enforced absence had provided. Defended resolutely throughout and wasn't at fault for either goals.
But Rio wouldn't be Rio without doing something dozy and his daft booking - for a foul 70 yards away from Robinson's goal - means he is suspended for next month's qualifier with Croatia.
Rating: 7.
SOL CAMPBELL
Reassuringly solid. No-nonsense defending was exactly what England required. Did not deserve to be on the losing side.
Rating: 7.
JOLEON LESCOTT
Dreadful. Nervous at the start, patchy in the middle, slow for Russia's second goal and put out of his misery after 78 minutes.
Only spared a reduced rating due to the mitigation that he is a centre-half by general trade.
Rating: 5.
SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS
As one wag recently observed, SWP offers a less-reliable delivery than Royal Mail. Barely contributed and his limitations should be acknowledged even by the BBC. Wright-Phillips is an above-average player below international standards.
Rating: 5.
STEVEN GERRARD
The armband didn't fit either literally or metaphorically. Gerrard was unable to deliver the captain's performance that the situation demanded or his team required. Out of form for so long that a blip is verging on becoming a slump.
That miss will become that miss if England ultimately fail to qualify.
Rating: 5.
GARETH BARRY
One of the few players to emerge in credit. England's best player before the interval, although his input diminished in the second half. Offers balance to the midfield as well as a testing dead-ball delivery.
On this showing, it is Gerrard's place that is under threat from Frank Lampard rather than Barry's.
Rating: 7.
JOE COLE
Offered little, either offensively or defensively. The enquiry as to his whereabouts during the concession of Russia's penalty is a damning question worth asking.
Rating: 5.
WAYNE ROONEY
Had referee Luis Medina Cantalejo spotted that Rooney's offence was outside the box and not pointed to the penalty spot instead then England would probably have held on for victory and the Manchester United striker would have taken the mantle of hero. Such are the fine margins of top-level sport.
Not that this was top-level sport. The sight of Rooney taking long throw-ins should serve as an epiphany for all those deluded souls who still maintain that international football is the equal of club competition.
Rating: 6.
MICHAEL OWEN
Starved of service and deprived of a single opportunity to score. Great leap for Rooney's volley but otherwise anonymous.
Rating: 5.
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