English stars tot up cost of ‘failure’

“It is the story of a vast superiority, sacrificed through stupidity, shortsightedness, and wanton insularity. It is a story of shamefully wasted talent, extraordinary complacency, and infinite self-deception.”

Perhaps we can credit the football writer Brian Glanville for minting the template for England inquests. This stall was set out in 1953, after the 6-3 home defeat by Hungary. Hopefully, he lodged some kind of patent protection.

They get cross about these setbacks. And only get crosser.