Shaka Hislop

But that on the face of it, when you think Italian defenders are not rugged enough anymore.

They're turning into Premier League players where they want to fight and win duels and they're not bringing through number nines and number tens.

Not correct.

I think he makes a point from obviously the culture that he grew up in, but times have moved on.

Times have changed.

Young players are free now to express themselves on social media, and they do it, and it's their break away from the pressure.

So I get what he's saying because he's an old-school footballer like we are, so you can sort of lend yourself to that conversation.

But when you know the game's moved on and all players are doing it, you're right, Kay.

When you look at...

The group of players that, you know, played you the day.

I mean, my biggest take when I saw the lineup come in was Rateghi starting for the second game in a row over Esposito.

That was the no-no for me.

When Rateghi come off in the game before and Esposito, oh, come on, who's a bright young player.

And it goes against a little bit the grain that we're saying, you know, he's physical, he's a big number nine, but he's in form and he's confident.

So how Rateghi kept his place over Esposito, I'll never know.

But going back to the Calafioris and the Bastonis, these are not Benuccis, these are not Chiellinis, these are not guys that are willing to die for that shirt.

And I mean that metaphorically where,

They would go down to nine men if they needed to, but stopping the opposition scoring was the most important thing and making sure you get the job done.

Times have moved on now and players are different and they're built different, but it has to be a root and branch thing.

I go back to the youth, it has to be better, but you fast forward all that and you go to the conversation why they haven't qualified.