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Fair enough, you've clearly got more knowledge than me about the youth side of things. I'll write the next 10 years off, then come back and see whether any of these kids are actually getting a game anywhere in the best league in the world.

No I haven't but I have a look at some of the England Schoolboys matches on Sky or the Under-17s and what is glaringly obvious is that the technique is poor and the emphasis is still hustle, bustle and physicality. Most of these "schoolboys" are either built like brick shithouses or look like...

I'm not oversimplifying things, I believe that other countries give their kids better coaching and that this is the real reason why we're falling behind. One by-product of having poor coaching is poor concentration and poor reading of the game, and I'm highlighting how this particular factor...

Oxford Dictionary definition of effort: "A vigorous or determined attempt; strenuous physical or mental exertion." Prior to 2010 look how we were eliminated from the tournament: 2006 penalties, 202 wonder goal from Ronaldinho, 1998 penalties, 1990 penalties, 1986 wonder goal and Hand Of God...

I disagree, I think some of these 'lesser' nations like the USA put in more physical and mental effort precisely because they are not as naturally skilful as their opposition. Look at how well the USA defended in the first 90 minutes vs Belgium, the focus they maintained, the concentration from...

Ditto Luke Shaw for £27 million. Does he get up and down like Bale, has he got a shot on him Riise, or a free-kick like Baines? Has he got the energy of a Roberto Carlos? I'm not saying he's a bad player but I've not noticed any world-class attributes that mark him out as a special player...

When was the last time you saw an England player really out on their feet, someone who has given every ounce for the cause, body on the line etc? Those USA players last night ran themselves into the ground, as did the Algerians vs. Germany and the Greeks vs. Costa Rica. I wouldn't say England...

Do you honestly believe that any of those you've named are any more talented that their equivalents of 30-odd years ago? Chris Waddle at the same age is far better than Adam Lallana is now, ditto John Barnes better than Sterling. Oxlade-Chamberlain is not a million miles from Tony Daley (who...