i’m hoping it will no longer be acceptable to not even do some rudimentary research before going on air. it doesn’t take much, just a little homework would be a start. they’re getting paid enough.

the cream will rise to the top. wayne rooney didn’t have an issue getting on the pitch as a 17 year old. a country like england should be churning out a near wayne rooney quality of player, possibly two, every year.

think about it. 2 wayne rooney quality players emerging consistently every year. over 5 years that’s 10 potentially world class players all within the prime age. that’s practically a team right there.

but where are they? they’re certainly not stuck in the reserves or championship unable to get a look in because of johnny foreigner.

the bottom line is that if they’re good enough, they’ll play. we just need to develop their technical skills and if we’re talking about U21s, U24s, it’s too late.

Hopefully the squad quota system will have an impact. There are good English and Scottish players rotting in the Reserves or not even the reserves. If a Premier league squads are hoarding 40-50 professionals these players are not going to develop – play them or let them go. Also it will force the players to show some ambition or professional pride (Ridgewell, Gardner and Cahill all left to play football and not just pick up the money).

The new limits on squad sizes should force “professionals” to move to play football – flooding the leagues with these academy players, reducing their price tag and reducing the reliance on cheap imports. Hopefully, gems will emerge from this exodus.

The national academy needs to be built and limits on non-UK academy players should also be enforced. Apart from the morality of child trafficking. No let leave it there, it is immoral.

The reserve league should be limited to that of the Olympics U-24 + 2 experienced players (first teamers getting over knack!).

Hundreds of good Championship and maybe a few good Premier standard footballers are not even playing competitive football. Getting these people playing will expose their skills and increase the number of players to choose from. A first team squad of 23 +5 U-21 players would give exposure to Delfouneso, Clarke, Bannan and Albrighton.

Scrap the current national team’s XI, start again with the U-21s (plus Rooney & maybe a few others), prepare for 2016/2018, use 2012/2014 to let them build experience.