England must stay upbeat

Owen Hargreaves had a tough England introduction

BBC Sport Online chief football writer Phil McNulty insists England's preparation for the World Cup qualifier against Germany will not be undermined by defeat against Holland.

Sven Goran Eriksson was not allowing England's reservoir of optimism to be drained away by one damaging defeat.

England suffered harsh treatment at Holland's hands - but Eriksson claimed he learned vital lessons at White Hart Lane to take to Germany for the World Cup qualifier next month.

The main one will be that if England stand and admire world class players, their hopes of automatic qualification for next summer's showpiece will not survive a night in Munich's Olympic Stadium.

Scholes beats Overmars

But in reality, this friendly was little more than an opportunity for Eriksson to spend some time with his players in preparation for the most important game of his reign.

England would have revelled in a victory against such high class opposition - but defeat had little significance when placed in the wider context of Eriksson's real mission, namely World Cup qualification.

He may have weeded out some members of his squad who will be found wanting at the highest level, but will also know his Munich team-sheet will bear no resemblance to the one he handed in at White Hart Lane.

David Seaman will be restored in goal, while it is difficult to imagine Liverpool's Steven Gerrard - fitness permitting - allowing Germany the open midfield spaces Holland were afforded.

And in attack Michael Owen will be employed from the start as opposed to being hurled on as a substitute.

Eriksson will have departed the dug-out none the wiser about his major problem position - namely who will fill the left flank role in Germany.

Van Bommel battles

Owen Hargreaves had an eye-opening introduction to the international stage, offered the opportunity to drink from England's poisoned chalice and overpowered by the double attacking threat of Michael Reiziger and Chelsea new boy Boudewijn Zenden.

England lacked the width that was a trademark of the Dutch, and while Hargreaves may be suited to a left sided holding role. he lacks the pace and delivery to give an attacking option.

Hargreaves' international future lies in a central role - but he will face a major task muscling his way in between Gerrard and Paul Scholes.

Eriksson pinpointed the problem of England showing Holland too much respect.

And in reality his first half line-up was never going to be a match for Louis Van Gaal's side as they fielded a possible starting line-up for their World Cup qualifier.

Brown's aerial duel

But if Eriksson was disappointed, Premiership bosses Sir Alex Ferguson and Claudio Ranieiri will have been delighted by the showing of their summer purchases Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Zenden.

England will be a different team and a different proposition in Munich - a more stable, combative and threatening combination.

The wisdom of Eriksson's experimentation and the scheduling of the fixture itself is a matter for debate, but as a benchmark for England's chances against Germany, it was of little or no consequence.