I have rarely been so pessimistic about the future of the England national team.

Roy Hodgson and the squad returned from Brazil on Wednesday after more empty promises, another broken dream, in this case the worst record at a World Cup in modern history.

Defeats by Italy and Uruguay plus a goal-less draw against Costa Rica and that was that. Bottom of Group D and not ahead for a single minute in any of the three games. England didn't even need to lose a penalty shootout this time. It is eight years since England scored more than one goal at a World Cup.