Good bye and thank you. The last of the “old guard” if you can count 33 as old! So many players have left since the Mark Hughes Glory Days! It has been a time of trial and torment for fans. I think the majority of the hardcore fan base are resigned to the fact that we won’t be very good for a while, but we’ll get to go on good away trips anyway!

Looking back, it took ten years to be good, from the nearly USA 1994 campaign to the so close 2004 campaign… Will it take another ten? Although, slated from the off, Tosh always said that 2010 was his target – sacrificing this campaign to blood in a number of new players… well a new squad… and I guess he has… The team that drew with the Czech Republic on Saturday had numerous players who had just started shaving…

is the future bright? Welsh left back goes for £10 million (and no, not you Phil!) … certainly hope so!