One nation right into the groove

I’d give them a nine out of 10 for that, and their passing out from the back, starting with the goalkeeper and with a willingness from everyone to get on the ball, would get the same mark.

Dele Alli, who I thought was very good at transferring the ball and making up 10 yards quickly, played particularly well.

England’s stars wanted to take responsibility by getting on the ball and they responded superbly to going 2-1 down with Marcus Rashford nearly scoring a second, and Danny Welbeck having a goal disallowed.

So all of the things you’d want from a team, whether you’re playing in it, managing or coaching it, were very positive and they are pushing forward in the right direction.the issue, however, was a lack of focus and leadership in the minutes after England had taken the lead.

Luke Shaw nicked the ball on the edge of his own box, galloped up the pitch and produced a world-class pass to set up Rashford (right) for the goal.

But he didn’t then do that little football basic of staying switched on and that lack of concentration to let Spain back in straight away undid everything he’d just done.

At this level, teams such as Spain and Germany would keep the ball for five minutes, but instead Shaw was a little impetuous and it was the worst time because that’s when your underbelly is a little soft.

It needed Harry Kane – and this is why I’m a little bit concerned about having the Tottenham man as captain, not because he’s not a solid guy who’ll score goals whatever you heap on him – to be the one who took control.

It would have been about a midfield or defensive force – a John Terry or Steven Gerrardtype figure – making sure everyone stays cool, calm and collected, but England didn’t seem to have that. The second goal was very surprising given how well Premier League players usually are at defending set-pieces.

Unity

But overall it was still a decent performance from England and they can keep moving forward against Switzerland at Leicester on Tuesday and address that attention to detail.

What has been great to see over the past few days is the fact that the unity which emerged at the World Cup remains and there are no Big-time Charlies in the group.

That has been obvious from watching social media and the way the lads stuck together last night.

And Gareth Southgate (right) deserves great credit for that because that’s on him.

So a disappointing result, yes, but plenty to be positive about.