Still work in progress

Andy Munro talks about England v Belgium and the future of the national side.

Overall, England’s defeat at the hands of Belgium was a disappointing display by the Three Lions and although the scoreline flattered the visitors there were still areas of concern. Pickford is no Banks or Shilton and Mings, Dier and Walker all look like excellent candidates for a donkey derby.

In midfield, the likes of Rice and Winks are well short of world beaters and, talented though they are, Grealish and Mount are wasted as pseudo forwards. However, despite being a slightly square peg in a round hole, Jack Grealish was man of the match by a country mile.

In fairness to Gareth Southgate, he had the pace of Rashford and Sterling missing but when they return (as they must) then it’s worth dropping Grealish and Mount into proper midfield roles with somebody like Henderson sitting back and protecting a back four which must include the lively and talented Sako. This of course, still leaves the central defence to be sorted with even McGuire now looking an attractive proposition, such is the dearth of talent in that position.

Of course, it was never a penalty and to say the England player didn’t get enough of the ball is a joke. As is the current rule where a lock of hair can make you offside and the latest definition of a handball where defenders will soon need to play with their arms behind their backs. Never mind focussing on crass remarks by old buffers at the FA, the real disgrace is the tinkering with rules which had for many years stood the test of time.