England regulars need to man up

 
Roy Hodgson's selection problems are not just who's fit for France - but who's fit for purpose?

For once it’s not the set-up, the manager or the attitudes that are the issue. It just feels like there are not enough players that can turn up and perform when it matters.

Yes, we have an exciting core of precocious rookies - Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Marcus Rashford and Jamie Vardy - but they cannot do it all on their own.

And the inability of the more established players to take the reigns and shoulder some responsibility is already piling far too much pressure on the new boys.

The wins over Turkey and Australia may only have been warm-ups but it was a chance for players to nail down a starting spot or a squad place.

Yet most performances were more likely to secure a taxi home than a seat on the plane. 

Backwards passing, misplaced through balls, wayward shooting and a lack of ideas defined both games as once again the same old faces failed to turn up against two poor opponents.

Adam Lallana, Jordan Henderson and Chris Smalling all have 20+ caps apiece but are not blossoming into the reliable performers you need at international level.

Jack Wilshere and Daniel Sturridge are injured all too often to put much faith in them. 

Then there's Raheem Sterling (21), John Stones (22) and Ross Barkley (22). They are still young but have been on the scene since the last World Cup and we are still yet to see them steal any limelight. 

The Everton duo are probably the biggest disappointments - because they came with the biggest billing. 

Barkley was dubbed the new Gazza. His surging runs through midfield the season before last looked the hallmark of a direct player who could terrify defences for years to come. 

Stones has drawn comparisons with Rio Ferdinand for the composure with which he can bring the ball out of defence. 

But under the loose technical marshalling of former Toffees boss Roberto Martinez, both now seem to be drifting aimlessly towards mediocrity. 

Maybe they started to believe their own hype - even Hodgson has seen fit to haul them both over the coals in front of the press for making too many mistakes. 
 
The lack of defensive options means that Stones’ Euro 2016 place is surely secure but you have to expect Barkley has been biting his fingernails all weekend.  
 
Hodgson gave him just 27 minutes in the second warm-up. Andros Townsend hardly pulled up any trees but he still eclipsed the Everton man - despite getting just 14 minutes.
 
Sterling may have had his season wrecked by injury but the £50million Manchester City winger still struggles with his final ball and has lost the confidence to beat his man – possibly weighed down by that massive price tag.

Liverpool's Lallana was meant to be the new brand of attacking midfielder: sleek, agile and able to play anywhere behind a main striker. 
 
He might be able to play anywhere. But can he do anything? He has no pace, no strength, never tests the keeper and rarely plays a killer ball. 
 
Jordan Henderson has transformed himself from a lightweight Sunderland winger into a real workhorse midfielder at Liverpool. 
 
Good in possession, with terrific positioning going forward but many fans feel like he is still playing at half his potential. 

He routinely snatches at gilt-edged opportunities and, with the national side desperate for direction in the centre of the park, Henderson needs to be more assertive. 

In Danny Rose and Kyle Walker, England have two in-your-face full-backs who are not afraid to get forward. But where they excel in excitement their temperament lets them down.

One weapon England do have this summer that has been lacking in the past is team spirit. 

If there are enough new faces to break down the cliques that have for so long strangled the national team, then maybe they can start to express themselves.

If the Spurs contingent’s infectious togetherness can spread through the group, then confidence could start to breed at just the right time.

And if Leicester’s shock title win can nurture the feeling that anything is possible, then that belief might just take England a long way in the tournament.

God knows it needs to - because ability alone is not going to cut it.