So the international break is here again. Thankfully, it's the final one of the year and we won't have to suffer another absence of Premier League actionuntil next February.
A tasty clash with Scotland on Friday means that someEngland supporters may summon upa tiny bit of interest - at least,until it turns into the inevitable drab affair shortly following kick off,that we are so accustomed to watching.
Any residual love for the national side must have surely drained away following the Sam Allardyce debacle just over a month ago.
It's back to the drawing board for the FA, who are hoping that the not-so-charismatic Gareth Southgate can either unleash some previously unknown Marvel superpower (unlikely), or stumble across a winning formula (even more unlikely).
In fairness the FA may as well give him the job, it's not like many other credible candidatesare queuing up for an interview. So for now, we will have to get behind the former Boro manager and give what support we can be bothered to muster.
At least Southgate's appointment would lower expectations of the team. That's not to be detrimental to the 46-year-old, but far too often the national side goes to tournaments with overly-high hopes.
A much more realistic target of getting out of the group stage in the World Cup in Russia 2018 is probably the right place to start, that is of course, if England make it there.
Meanwhile, the uproar surrounding Jack Wilshere's return to the national squad meant that the big namefavouritism debate has resurfaced once again.If anything, it actually points to a dearth of talent in England but that's a whole different topic that none of us have got time for.
Exclusive: Gareth Southgate will be named England manager, FA tells hopefuls for the job | @Matt_Law_DThttps://t.co/K70CfgiyKy
What talent the country does have, mayhold the key to Southgate's future plans and he should be looking at a particular area of North London, as the place to start.
It's time the national team was built around specific players, rather than throwing a mish-mash of bodies together, hoping it will somehow fit into place.
The obvious choice upfront would be Harry Kane. Yes, he was poor at the Euros last summer but he is still the best English striker in the Premier League. Last season's golden boot winner has missed some of the current campaignalready through injury, but was on the scoresheet in the North London Derby last weekend.
In addition to Kane, there are several of histeammates at White Hart Lane who could be worth dedicating time to.
Dele Alli has had a relatively quiet start to the season and is currently out injured. However,when fit, he needs to play in an advancedrole like he does for Spurs. This could bring not onlythe best out of Alli, but also Kane.
Lest we forget England's only memorable win in the last few years. March's fabulous friendly win in Germany saw both Tottenham players shine. The game may have been an anomaly but boy was it good to watch.
It highlighted the talent the duo possess and how the side needs to be shaped so it can bring the best out of them.
This does of course mean that there would be no place for the likes of Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy. However, that's the point, you can't play everyone and unless players can fit in around Kane and Alli there can be no place for them in the side.
Charlie Austin:
14 games, 8 goals.
Jamie Vardy:
17 games, 2 goals.
Guess which one made it into the England Squad... pic.twitter.com/DfK6xG8IbK
It's harsh and brutal, however it's a starting point which right now, England clearly need. Let's not forget that the two previous World Cup winner's adapted their style to which club side the majority of their players came from.
Spain played tika-taka like Barcelona in 2010and Germany's win in 2014utilised Bayern Munich players in the same way their club did.
It's likely that there could be five Tottenham players in the England starting XI. Kyle Walker, Danny Rose and Eric Dier would join Alli and Kane in the side.
This doesn't mean that Southgate should try to replicate Tottenham's exact style but working a team around those players would at least establish some kind of system andidentity for the national side.
And after decades of underwhelming failure, it might just be worth investing in players who have already shown in their short careers, that they possess the talent to succeed at the top.