Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer has been scathing in his criticism of England's playing style after their opening game at the World Cup.
While Fabio Capello's team laboured to a 1-1 draw with the United States, Germany crushed the Australians 4-0.
The former German captain, 64, said: "What I saw of the English against the US had very little to do with football.
"It looked to me as if the English have gone backwards into the bad old days of kick and rush."
Joachim Loew's German team have been one of the most impressive so far in South Africa, with the German newspaper, Bild, declaring: "We're going to blow you all away," after the opening win in Durban.
England, meanwhile, are hoping for an improvement in their forthcoming games against Algeria and Slovenia as, if they finish second in Group C, they could face the Germans in the second round.
Germany currently top Group D after their demolition of Australia but they still have to face Ghana and Serbia.
Beckenbauer, who captained his country to World Cup victory in 1974 and was the manager when they won in 1990, believes England's problems are the result of a shortage of talent in the Premier League.
"I am not sure if the England coach Fabio Capello can still change much there," he told South African newspaper the Times.
"The English are being punished for the fact that there are very few English players in the Premier League as clubs use better foreign players from all over the world."
Former international forward Peter Beardsley, who played for England in the 1990 World Cup semi-final when they were knocked out by Germany, said he agrees with Beckenbauer that England are suffering for the lack of domestic players in the Premier League.
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