England's critical friends need listening to by FA.

Some of the most accurate assessments of England’s performances at the Euros emanated from TV studios and podcasts from former England internationals. Gary Lineker’s use of “sh*t” to describe one display cheapened the debate and distracted everyone but actually could not undermine his argument. Lineker was right about England. Alan Shearer was right about Harry Kane and England. Ian Wright and Gary Neville were right about England. The Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain confirmed that.

Gareth Southgate and his squad were, depending on the individual, annoyed to angered about the coverage from ex-pros. Kane even emerged at Schloss Blankenhain to deliver his riposte to Lineker and Shearer the day after much of their criticism was aired. Pity England didn’t listen. Such ex-players self-evidently have the experience and the expertise. They are critical friends, so much more useful to the team than being simple cheerleaders.