"If it turns out to be a wake-up call for the qualifiers, it will have served its purpose," said Platt whose side ended an incredibly open first half 1-0 down and then had Jermaine Pennant sent off after an hour with the score at 2-0.

He said: "An England team shouldn't lose 3-0 at any level. It is unacceptable that Croatia come into our back yard and win by that margin. I have told the players that. It has to hurt them and we all have to take responsibility, myself included."

The irony is that England had plenty of chances themselves, with Jermain Defoe and Francis Jeffers both going close and Pennant hitting the post.

"It was an open game but we were giving away too much space and getting counter-attacked too easily," said Platt.

"I had to make a tactical change at half-time and I brought off Gareth Barry for Steven Sidwell because we were too open. There were times in the first half when David Prutton was left on his own in midfield and you can't afford to do that at this level.

"The players didn't perform the way they do for their clubs and that is what they have to do.

"It isn't a case of pulling on an England shirt and going out to please the crowd. You have to be more professional than that.

"Whatever the reasons for losing 3-0, they have to be looked at, whether tactically, technically or mentally. We have to be a bit brighter really to see what winning football matches is about.

"Croatia's tactics were to counter-attack and we helped them."

Platt was pleased though with the way his team tightened up in the second half and didn't let heads drop after going down to ten men.

They play away to Macedonia on 5th September and are then at home to Portugal at Goodison Park four days later.

Midfielder Jermaine Jenas said Pennant was disappointed with his retaliation, which got him a red card, appearing to strike out at an opponent in frustration.

"He spoke to me in the dressing room, he knows he should have been more disciplined. But he is young and will learn from it," said Jenas.

"I thought Croatia were a good side but we had enough talent to beat them. This is still very early on the season and I think we can learn from the game. Croatia kept the ball very well."

Joe Bernstein


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