HERE we go again.

Wales lose to England and we have the old guard popping up bitching about the performance.

Here's Barry John's verdict on the performance at the Millennium Stadium: "It has to be accepted now that, as far as I'm concerned, Welsh rugby is in a sorry and perilous state.

"I'm not simply talking about the performance against England but the bigger picture of the regions and supply lines of players. It's now becoming stagnant if not very close to non-existent.

"It's sad, but it's as bleak as I've ever known it and the rugby itself is clueless and bland."

He also claimned the team appeared to be "devoid of adrenaline, personality and nous".

But apart from that, Barry....

Look, the newspapers have to fill their column inches after every unsuccessful match with the 'woe is me' stuff, but let's get real. This was not the 0-51 drubbing Wales had against France in Wembly at the end of the 1990s. This was not the dark day of the tsunami of South African tries.

There are plenty of world class players in the Welsh squad.

This is a crisis of confidence, which isn't going to be helped by Barry John's hyperbole and the sound of the wringing of hands.

What this squad needs desperately is to believe they can win, and to deliver it. And what also won't get them there are the ridiculous mind-games Warren Gatland likes to play before every match.

This time, picking on the English hooker's mental state. All that was ever going to do was make him play out of his skin. Grow up and let's put our own house in order.

It is now time, Mr Gatland, for you to put up and shut up. This is a world cup year, yet the Welsh defensive line had a dog leg in it more times than Fred Bassett has taken a leak.

And if that man doesn't allow James Hook to play at number 10 soon, Jonathan Davies is going to have a stroke. Think on, butt.

If it takes all the sports psychologists in the world, or Uri Geller concentrating all his mental energy on a Welsh win, make it happen Mr Gatland. And until you do, keep it zipped, or you risk making a total fool of yourself.

AND finally...

CONGRATULATIONS to Belgian runner Stefaan Engels who has set a new world record by completing 365 marathon races in a year.

Dubbed "Marathon Man", (the Belgians are, like we Welsh, fond of the the literal nickname) he began his challenge in Belgium a year ago and has since run a marathon every day across seven countries.

Mr Engels, 49 and an asthmatic, crossed the finish line in the Spanish city of Barcelona after running 15,000km (9,569 miles) in a year.