Were The Three Lions Missing A Villa Lion?

Well, England loses and, of course, everyone weighs in with an opinion on why that was. In particular, "Why wasn't Grealish brought on?".

I don't wish to labour on that particular question (I would be accused of bias!), but I do think that Southgate shot himself in the foot post-match when he said that the Three Lions needed speed following McGuire's sending off in order to get back into the game. But they didn't get back into the game, did they, Gareth?

The problem is, Gareth, that England just did not do enough based on your criteria. Someone like Jack (not necessarily Jack) was needed to pick the lock. A player who could stand on the ball and get it to other players who did have the speed, but at the right time. Obvious, init? Johnny Haynes did that with great skill. With him around I remember England winning games 9-3 (vs Scotland, when they had great players), 4-2 (vs Spain!), 5-1 and 8-1 back around 1960 time. Then came Sir Alf and the more cautionary approach took over. But we won the World Cup, didn't we?

After years of soul-deadening cautionary play, I also remember Joe Mercer taking over as manager pro tem and doing a wonderful job in his short time at the helm. But all that is history - the old ways of playing and looking at the game is now the stuff of history. Perhaps that's a pity. Or perhaps we just rely too much on teamwork these days, when - on occasions - you need an injection of individual brilliance.

I am seriously now wondering whether Gareth has lost the plot. When he came in I thought he did a great job in renewing faith in the selection of teams that brought in the best of England's promising players. Now, he seems to have reverted to the old habit of caution in selecting a team and substitutions, which - surely - can only be described as a negative ploy.

I also note that a number of pundits thought that England's defence looked more settled after Mings came on.

If you are going to lose then go down with honour, please! Lions are not pussy-cats!