The quality of our academy system is very high, as good as anything in the world. Around the country, lots of people in youth development are keen to get together and find a solution to that 17-to-21 age bracket and how we get those players playing.
You have to be savvy. You have to be tactically aware, because that's what makes the difference in the big matches.
The players can associate playing for England with enjoyment, fun, and not being under siege and feeling everything is against them. There's an energy and a connection back. That's important in the short, mid, and long term as well.
I want my players to enjoy playing football and not be scarred by the experiences.
I was probably scarred by getting the sack at Middlesbrough.
If we are encouraging kids to go into academies, then presumably we are selling them the dream that they can play first-team football.
