Rudderless England learn little as defeat to the Dutch leaves more questions than answers

In some senses, Wednesday night’s 3-2 defeat to the Netherlands did not say very much.

It was already known that Arjen Robben has a lethal left foot. By reaching the last World Cup final it was clear that the Dutch are a pretty decent side and deserve to be held in higher regard than England.

In addition, it did not need the sight of Robben driving straight through the heart of England’s midfield to score the opener to understand that if someone does not track back, Daniel Sturridge in this instance, and centre-backs get drawn out of position, at this level, you get punished heavily.

However, there were other, far more worthy bits of information. After a nervy debut against Sweden last year, Sturridge looked far more accomplished. With Darren Bent likely to be sidelined for all of Euro 2012 and Wayne Rooney certainly absent for the opening two games, Danny Welbeck is proving himself to be the international calibre forward Sir Alex Ferguson has always felt he would become.

Micah Richards confirmed he should never have been ignored by Fabio Capello and that an all-Manchester City right-sided link-up with Adam Johnson could have devastating consequences. Indeed, in Bert van Marwijk’s post-match analysis, the Dutch coach admitted the extreme pace that runs right through the England side could be lethal. “This English squad have a lot of players who are very fast, and that’s a weapon,” he said. “You have to defend well against England.”

But the blunt truth is no-one knows what was learned, because no-one knows who the man will be that selects a provisional squad in the middle of May that eventually gets whittled down to 23 names who will do battle in Poland and Ukraine next summer.

“The aim has to be to provide opportunities for those who haven’t had them in the past,” said Pearce. “I don’t think you can afford to go into a major tournament and all of a sudden throw certain individuals, who haven’t been on international pitches, into the heat of a tournament and expect them to perform.

“It is a real learning curve but that performance, against those individuals, will stand them in good stead.”

All well and good if Pearce gets the job, as he has now said so often he is willing to do.

More likely is that Harry Redknapp will be the man. But what if he does not fancy Welbeck and would prefer Jermain Defoe? What if he would rather pair Frank Lampard with Paul Scholes in midfield? What if he looks for different things in a captain and decides Steven Gerrard, not Scott Parker, is the man. Then the end product of Wednesday night is precisely zero.

“I didn’t score and I didn’t keep a clean sheet,” said Pearce, when asked how he felt he had fared, before adding: “I don’t see it as a big night for me. I’m not auditioning for anything. I’m used to managing and being around squads. The staff and players have been focused and their attitude has been excellent. I’ve really enjoyed this week and would enjoy the summer, but I’d only be buying the FA some time if they’ve not got someone in. The full-time manager of England is somebody else. It’s certainly not me.”

It leaves just three plausible scenarios. Either Pearce is appointed temporary manager for Euro 2012 and a replacement found after that, Redknapp comes in immediately, or the Tottenham manager completes his club duties and then leaps into bed with the FA.

Sir Trevor Brooking, one of a group of FA officials in charge of making the appointment, has said England’s new manager may not take up the position until a few days before Euro 2012.

“Everything will be in place,” he was quoted as saying. “The backroom staff is very good. Whoever comes in will be really happy with that.

“The issue is the timing, that is why we don’t think we are in any rush. 0I think you could get somebody parachuted in a few days before it, though I’m sure there are some people in our group who don’t want that.”