But Sven had something up his sleeve in Southampton, and quite possibly his left one, as out popped hometown boy Wayne Bridge wearing the number 11 shirt.

It was the right time to try out the left-back in a more advanced role, as his introduction was only ever going to receive a roar from the delighted St Mary's crowd.

Maybe Chief Guest and legendary Saint, Matt Le Tissier, passed on some advice as the teams lined up before hand, but more likely Bridge was just given encouragement as, though his performance was not sparkling like many of Le God's in the very same south coast town, it gave England an outlet on that troublesome flank.

The Three Lions have often been regarded as very lopsided, with the main wide threat being offered from the right, usually Beckham. But now it appears that England may have a man who can fill that left-hand void.

Never over playing, the honest Southampton man was happy to hug the touch-line allowing England's play up to enter a formerly forbidden land. Early on he kept his game simple with first-time balls, until he had the measure of the full-back, and immediately following Macedonia's second goal, he stepped up the pace to ghost past full-back Robert Popov for the first-time and clip in a confident cross to the far post that Beckham almost dispatched for an equaliser.

The home fans could now enjoy the sight of a left midfielder not only occupying a place on the left hand side of the pitch, but also one happy to cross early, when defences hate it most. There was no dithering or delaying, just an eagerness to get back to basics. And with the skipper over on the other side doing his usual stuff, England looked like a balanced outfit comfortably sending passes either side believing that the return delivery would be as reliable as Postman Pat.

And Bridge was not alone out there as he combined well with his new pal Ashley Cole, who is beginning to make the left-back slot his own. When Cole sprung forward, Bridge was pleased to fill in for the Arsenal man defensively - he is a natural after all. Between them, they caused problems with their pace and composure whilst creating what could become a new supply line for England's forwards.

With half-an-hour left, the crowd were on their feet applauding the deserving Bridge as he was replaced by Darius Vassell. From then on, the crosses began to dwindle, as Sven's men sought a winner with a narrower three-man attack. When the ball was out wide on the left, the early centre was not forthcoming and the defence was able to regroup.

England had the chances to win it, but by now all the promising moves were originating from the right, whereas previously, with a balanced unit, the forward movement was more fluid and Macedonia had to have their wits about them across the pitch.

Sven says that he would like an English Ryan Giggs, but not many countries can boast the talents of a player like the Welsh Wizard. Wayne Bridge is perhaps not as devastating and may not frighten defenders with mazy runs like the United star, but he brings a natural, flowing quality to the left side of midfield that surely can't be overlooked.

After the game Sven admitted that Wayne had bridged the gap excellently. He said: "There were a couple of young players who did very well and I was happy with their performances.

"Wayne Bridge played very well in midfield and that is something we may consider again in the future."

Though England stumbled to a draw against a plucky Macedonian side, when the committed Saint linked up with an equally as hard-working - and young - Cole, thoughts came to mind that, maybe, it's not such a Problem Left after all.

Jamie Bradbury at St Mary's