In the spotlight: Hodgson and Co have flown back from the Euros after crashing out at the last-eight stage

It was there for everyone to see, and a deeply disappointed Gerrard — so impressive as a captain at this tournament — was the first to recognise it remains a ‘fundamental’ problem.

‘I’m sure it’s one of the biggest points of this tournament that the management and the coaching staff will have to look into,’ he said. ‘They will have to analyse why we aren’t keeping the ball better, especially at this level because it’s fundamental; it’s key if you want to beat the big teams in these tournaments.

‘I don’t look at stats too much, unless something’s sticking out so obviously. In this tournament we have come up short as far as  possession is concerned.’

Hodgson should take some positives from this tournament. Surviving until the 28th of 31 games, as one FA official highlighted, might be stretching it a bit. But they did top a group that included France and emerged unbeaten in 90 minutes. That said, New Zealand managed to do that in the last World Cup.

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