Hopeful fans across Shropshire went through a wide range of emotions as they packed county pubs for England’s clash against Algeria.

And the message from fans at one Shrewsbury pub, The Crown in Longden Coleham, was clear.

Fabio Capello’s team must win against Slovenia on Wednesday to restore the nation’s pride.

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Supporters may also have been aggrieved not to see Shrewsbury’s famous footballing son Joe Hart feature in the line-up last night.

But Rob Francis, from Copthorne, said the keeper Capello did pick was the only player responsible for the team’s highlights.

He said: “They played like a bunch of overpaid prima-donnas today and it is one of the worst performances I have ever seen from England.

“They played without passion or pride and they were afraid of wearing the England shirt.

“I can’t understand why they didn’t play our most influential player, Joe Cole, and the only highlight of the match was our keeper David James. England were second to the first ball and second to the second ball and there was no flair or imagination. Deep down there was no cohesion.

“It was like a mid-table championship clash played in December.

“My heart will be pounding and my stomach will be turning as usual before the next match against Slovenia and I will be full of belief.

“I’ve been waiting so long for this competition to come around, it’s once every four years and I just don’t want to be let down.”

Paul Dickson, of Copthorne, Shrewsbury, said the national side needed a shake up.

He said: “The team had no penetration and the captain Steven Gerrard didn’t have a shot.

“If he had been playing for Liverpool he would have scored.

“We were constantly under pressure and played with no confidence.”

Dave Walker, of Sutton Farm, near Shrewsbury, said England’s key man was being targeted.

He said: “What we really wanted was for Capello to have the confidence to take Rooney off the pitch.

“He is one of our best players but teams are crowding him out of the game and he’s not being allowed to do anything.”

Richard Allun, from Belvidere, in Shrewsbury, was watching the match in a front row seat in The Crown and said the game could be summed up in three words “poor, poor, poor!”.

He said of Wayne Rooney: “He has been great in the Premiership but he should have been taken off against Algeria.

“I don’t envy Capello’s position. It’s hard to know what the solution is and I’m not too optimistic about the next game.

“England need to start playing with some more heart.”

Landlord at The Crown Jim Doyle had placed a bet on an England 0-0 draw.

He said: “It was typical England and I didn’t have any optimism.

“I think they will do well to get through the group stage. From a business point of view it will make a huge difference if they do not play any better.

“The pub was packed put for the first game against the USA but because it was a poor performance people seemed to have stayed at home for this match.

“I watch football all the time and I really love the game but this has not been good start to the World Cup. It was really disappointing from England.”

Hundreds of fans packed the Black Horse in Bridgnorth to watch the game..

Graham Smith, the landlord of 10 years, said: “We have been packed out.

” A lot of people have got big expectations.

“We have been busy tonight, with probably about 500 people.”

The Bridge Street pub in Low Town had eight screens set up for fans to watch the game. Three of them were outside the pub.

Mr Smith said: “It’s been a great atmosphere all the way through.

“Towards the end people were getting a bit disheartened.

“There is still another game, they will win that and still get through. The disappointment is not as bad as people think.”

More staff were also working at the pub to cope with the extra customers.

Mr Smith, who has not managed to see any of the games himself, said business at the pub at the last game “broke all records” and last night trade was expected to be nearly as good. He said: “It’s still a bumper night and still a great atmosphere.”