Time to bring on the young retainers

England: the way ahead: After spurning a golden opportunity, England will look to the Joe Cole generation and put a premium on keep-ball

Even defeat could not deter them, the throng of well-wishers, larger than ever, which sent England on their way home from Awaji Island. Squealing with anticipation every time a coach which might have contained as much as an England kit-bag hove into view, these were the temporary devotees of a team which, in Japan, has somehow come to represent the elusive mysteries of the West.

Their own team's elimination they could understand. It had over-performed just to reach the last 16. But it was with a sense of incredulity that the party hat-wearing, banner-festooned Japanese supporters at England's base-camp, bade a premature farewell to the representatives of their adopted nation who, they had been convinced, were destined to go all the way to Yokohama.

To gauge the sentiments of Sven Goran Eriksson and his team in the immediate aftermath, that emotion was reflected many times over by the England camp. Even the day after that climactic confrontation at Shizuoka Stadium, there remained a staunch belief that England had jettisoned a prime opportunity to claim a final place for the first time since 1966. The attitude was reflected in Rio Ferdinand, probably England's best player in the tournament, whose dejection at England's elimination at the end was there for all to see as he lay prone, head in hands, before finally being persuaded to rise to his feet and troop round all corners of the stadium to applaud the travelling faithful.

"There's no one more gutted than myself because I really did think we were capable of going all the way to the final," the Leeds centre-back said. "I think that the boys, in the time we had together, believed in our capabilities as a individuals and as a team. Our belief was growing by the day. I had a real feeling we were going to get to the final and every time we spoke to each other we grew more confident."

True, it had been an inviting opportunity, with the loss of Argentina, France, Portugal and Italy. And that was before we knew about Spain's demise yesterday. Eriksson's men were in a vein of form, if not necessarily quality, that suggested the riches of a place in the final lay ahead. But we should have heeded the warning offered by Sweden in that first game in Saitama.

How turgid England had appeared when confronted by a highly disciplined, organised Sweden midfield and rearguard in the second period, and it had been the same in the wicked afternoon heat of Shizuoka on Friday after Ronaldinho had netted what proved to be the winner as Brazil proceeded to drain the very vitality out of England.

It would be too facile to contend that Eriksson is merely locked into a primitive tactical strategy of containment interspersed by swift counter-assaults (which succeeded fortuitously against Denmark and primarily against Argentina because Manuel Bielsa's team did not take account of the threat of Michael Owen) and when that fails he has no plan B.

Despite his benign observations to the contrary, it is probable that he rapidly assessed the limitations among England's many potential performers and adapted his style to suit them. The lack of a genuine playmaker, someone equipped with something approaching the divine talent with which Ronaldinho is endowed, makes the task difficult enough. The fact that England cannot call upon many players who are truly at ease when in possession of the ball and even fewer who are prepared to thrust directly into the heart of a rearguard adds to it.

Eriksson partly attributes fatigue ­ a too hectic season and no mid-season Premiership break ­ to the problem. Equally, it has been clear throughout the tournament that Beckham has not been anywhere near fit, while Kieron Dyer has appeared considerably off the pace. The England coach has justified these "gambles" by suggesting that in a World Cup there is only one Beckham, only one Dyer. In other words, damaged quality is preferable to well-honed mediocrity.

Yet, what was disconcerting against Brazil was Beckham's lack of involvement, particularly after the interval, and substitute Dyer's refusal at least to attempt to turn defenders. What was his problem? The latter was a fault typical of too many of the England players, who appeared at times intimidated by the very names of their counterparts. By the end, supposed quality England players were lofting the ball forward aimlessly.

The sheer pace of the Premiership, which places a premium on swift release of the ball, bears some responsibility. Whether Eriksson can influence that practice for the better will be intriguing to witness. Certainly, now is not the occasion to damn the England coach who assumed control when England were "rudderless", as FA chief executive Adam Crozier has expressed it, after Kevin Keegan resigned, and appeared unlikely to qualify, let alone reach the quarter-finals.

Becoming international coach to players who were largely "foreign" to him, in both senses of the word, he was forced to act rapidly to the situation. And with a certain amount of pragmatism. It is surely inconceivable that Eriksson should continue to pursue a policy of concession of possession, relying on swift incursions, when that strategy has been countered so readily by Sweden and Brazil.

But it is crucial to England's advancement that Eriksson encourages performers to begin to think and play in a more technically adroit manner. As he prepares for the 2004 European Championship qualifying period, the Swede can start afresh, and it would be surprising if he does not introduce some more younger elements in to his squads.

Asked if any of his older players would be announcing retirement, Eriksson declared: "I think that most of the players who have been out here will be in the next tournament as well. Then we have some players back home of course, who are heavily knocking on the door. That's very good."

Joe Cole is the most obvious candidate for promotion from virtual observer at this World Cup to a player who could be most influential in Portugal in two years' time if his development continues, in that playmaking role he so desires, just behind the strikers. Indeed, Eriksson might have introduced the 20-year-old on Friday at a late stage, by which time England's creative forces had become as inert as Mount Fuji. With the audacity of youth, Cole may have unsettled a Brazilian defence which was defying England with an almost embarrassing comfort.

Dyer, if he eventually demonstrates that he possesses the international class that he clearly does at club level, will be an important factor in England's progress. So, too, one suspects, will Owen Hargreaves, unfortunate to be injured at a crucial moment, although it gave the chance for Nicky Butt to install himself as Eriksson's man of the tournament. But there will be others, such as Blackburn Rovers' midfielder David Dunn and striker Matt Jansen, who have exhibited exciting potential, together with Cole's West Ham team-mate Jermain Defoe.

In two years' time, injuries permitting, Eriksson will have a fit Beckham and Dyer, and Steven Gerrard should be restored. Michael Owen will be that much older and wiser, as will Ferdinand and Scholes, another who lacked his usual authority in the second half on Friday, but otherwise enhanced his status.

Asked whether his team had done itself justice, captain Beckham replied: "I think so, yes, because expectations were set very high. Some said that we wouldn't even get through the group stage. It's good that the team we've got is young enough. We will get other chances."

All very well. The question remains: will England have learnt enough from this adventure to make the best of them?