Euro 2020 (in 2021)

[Prime Time]

I'd disagree with 3. For example, the Portugal team that knocked England out twice, I don't think they are as good (on paper, at least) as the ones who went out limply here. Germany are probably better now than in 2004-2008, France are certainly better.... you know, I just don't buy that when you add it all up.

You can make a case for 1-2. There wasn't much pace in the golden generation, whereas even players we don't think of as fast (like Grealish) are actually pretty rapid.

The two areas for me are team spirit/management, and tactical sophistication. The golden generation played a fairly rigid 4-4-2, that none of the club teams we had dominating Europe were playing by that point. England now seem to be able to shift between a 4-3-3 and a 4-5-1 and a 4-2-3-1 and a 3-4-3 almost at will. That and they seem to have more team spirit in the national camp than the golden generation had - those would be the two major differences for me.

Oh, and maybe add technical ability? I don't mean this to knock Gerrard and Lampard, but from a technical perspective neither of them hold a candle to our current crop of attacking midfielders. Yes, they had other advantages - no one worked harder than Lampard, for instance. But this is the most talented 'ball playing' generation I think England have ever produced.

[The Cook]

I also think a big part of it is hunger and desire for success. The core group of the golden generation from 04-10 were constantly winning league titles and the champions league as well as the FA and League Cups whereas hardly any of the current squad, outside the City players & Henderson (the former of which still haven't done it in Europe) have won anything. And while that's not to say Gerrard and co. didn't give a toss about winning something with England perhaps the knowledge that they'd be challenging for something the following season meant they were 1-2% off it and that's all it takes at such a high level.

[Freeman]

Agree Prime, tactical sophistication and technical ability have definitely seen a big improvement since the Golden Generation. I think the likes of Guardiola and Klopp in the Premier League have had a hand in that, plus the redevelopment at grass roots level.

[Gooner]

The two areas for me are team spirit/management, and tactical sophistication. The golden generation played a fairly rigid 4-4-2, that none of the club teams we had dominating Europe were playing by that point. England now seem to be able to shift between a 4-3-3 and a 4-5-1 and a 4-2-3-1 and a 3-4-3 almost at will. That and they seem to have more team spirit in the national camp than the golden generation had - those would be the two major differences for me.

This for me is the biggest difference. The football intelligence this team has shown is miles ahead of the one from the Golden Generation, which is reflected in the teams ability to switch formations games to game and put on an equally good performance. And yes, the team spirit is noticeably better.

[The Cook]

Fuck

[Shee]

Hard luck lads. Awful way to lose it. Cracking little team there, hopefully there's a big one there for ye yet

[Freeman]

Better team won for me, really feel for Saka, hopefully he can bounce back from that.

[Prime Time]

Yeah, better team won. I said on Twitter, they played for 100 minutes of normal time when you add the stoppages, and Italy bossed 60 of the 100. Then one half each for ET.

Still proud. Gave us more than I honestly thought they were capable of, to be honest with you. The best team of the tournament shaded the game and ultimately nicked it by a shootout. Worthy winners. But still proud, prouder than I have been of an England team in so very long.

People who get sport - really get it - know it's not all about the trophy, it's about the journey. And we had that this time around. Fair play to them I say.