I do think fitness has played a part in previous tournaments. Generally the majority are going in having played in what is the most physically demanding league in the world and playing a considerable number of games. Capello made the decision to work them like dogs in 2010 doing high altitude training and we were absolutely fucked physically when it came to the tournament.
But there's also a cultural issue that's existed for just as long. We believe we're the best. Our league is the best, our players are the best. It's simply not true. We've always lagged behind our rivals when it comes to coaching and tactics. We've never appreciated or accepted that tactics are as vital as players. If you have the right system and tactical approach it can take you far in tournaments. Picking the best players as individuals doesn't work. And we've never had a manager who has been able to figure that out.
The way Southgate wants to play means it's Foden or Bellingham not both. He has to choose one and play someone who'll stretch the play wide left and run beyond Kane. It's not the way we should play or what I would do, but if that's how he wants to set up tactically then he has to pick the players to implement that system and he isn't.