Express & Star

Time for England to give the three lions new blood

The weight of expectation became too much to bear last night as England was set on a course for the national side's worst ever performance at a World Cup.

Published

There are plenty of excuses, of course, not least the strong group we were up against but in the end the facts are there to see; we just don't cut it on the international stage.

Fans, whether devoted or just tuning in out of a bit of national pride, did not go into this World Cup with any illusions that we were about to see a return to the glory days of 1966.

But when Birmingham-born Daniel Sturridge put one in the net against Italy and when Wayne Rooney finally ended his World Cup drought, we all made the mistake of daring to believe we might not go home defeated.

The final group match against Costa Rica requires the stars to align to help a team that has been unable to control its own destiny thus far.

Not only must we beat Costa Rica but Italy must defeat both Uruguay and Costa Rica for England to have a chance.

Roy Hodgson said: "I don't think anyone let me down, the team down, or the country down."

Actually, they did. This lacklustre performance does nothing for the country's spirits. With the sun shining most days and signs that the economy is on the rise, a World Cup team to be proud of can do wonders.

Rooney may well have a good international record but if the best he could do was putting one in the net mere inches from the line then he has not really proved himself.

Steven Gerrard hints this World Cup may be his international swan song.

It is time for Roy Hodgson to look towards the future make-up of England's squad. The current crop of under-21s have not made it out of the group stages in recent years but our under-17s are currently the European champions.

Proper funding and training by English Premier League clubs and investment in young English players would make all the difference, if they can be persuaded that it is worth their while.

Without that investment in a new generation, England shall be doomed to watch their own current and former team mates at club level - the likes of Luis Suarez and Mario Balotelli and those who will follow them - deny them the victory they have sought for 48 years.

Tackling pothole pain is money well spent

Cheer up, though. England may have lost but at least the potholes will be filled in.

We are living in times of austerity for public money but the Government has made the right decision in trying to repair the crumbling roads.

Potholes are mainly a menace in the winter when freezing temperatures make the surfaces break up like dirty cookies.

But just as it is prudent to fix the roof while the sun is shining, so to is it a good idea to sort out the roads.

The impact of potholes is not just about protecting drivers' cars.

It is a good use of public money because it reduces compensation claims against councils and stops everyone's insurance premiums from soaring.

And if people and businesses are not left out of pocket by damage or insurance costs, they have more money to spend to fuel the economy recovery.

People pay what gets referred to as 'road tax' but it does not get put into a budget for the roads.

Motorists pay the Treasury again and again but arguably get little in return for it.

Finally, and utterly justifiably, it is payback time.

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