''I thought the whole emphasis with Sven (Goran Eriksson) was far too negative,'' he told FIFA's official World Cup site.

''I don't think they played at all. There were a couple of 45-minute spells where they performed reasonably well and looked like they might get it going but we didn't play to our own strengths,'' he added referring to England's inconsistent performance The 1986 Golden Boot winner said the English had bright individual talents but failed to click as a team.

''The way they lined up in midfield without anyone joining the front men was just a waste of what I think are a lot of talented individual players. In time those players will look back and think if only we’d had a go - this was a tournament to be won as there was not really a great team in it,'' he said.

Speaking about his general impression of the tournament so far, Lineker said though the tournament has entertained well, goal scoring has left a lot to be desired. In addition, he said no single team had managed to stamp its authority in the event.

''It started really well, we've had lots of great goals but I think the tournament's probably lacked a great team and one or two of the great players of the world didn't really perform as we would have liked. It's been slightly disappointing on that front but all in all, a pretty good show,'' he said.

Lineker said contrary to the norm, defenders had emerged as the stars of the tournament and the likes of Fabio Cannavaro have taken the spotlight away from strike stars.

''None of the really top goalscorers really got going. Fernando Torres did well for a couple of games but that's my point about the lack of star players. Most of the best players have probably been defenders,'' he observed.

The former Tottenham player said Miroslav Klose -- who tops the goal scoring list with five goals -- was a poacher in front of the goal and called him the only success among a disappointing galaxy of stars.

''I think he's a classic poacher, his movement in the box is really good and he is a clinical finisher when he gets the chance.

He's got a terrific record at international level and you can see why. The important thing is he's taken it into a big tournament where so many others have failed,'' Lineker said.

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