Aidy Boothroyd is facing mounting criticism as England U21 boss as their Euro final campaign flopped at the first hurdle again.
The head coach insisted England's kids were “horribly unlucky” and beaten by a “freak goal” from Switzerland, but conceded they lacked attacking prowess.
Boothroyd was lucky to keep his job after the failure of Phil Foden, Tammy Abrahams and James Maddison's generation in 2019, when they exited the finals at the group stage.
This time it was Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi, Eddie Nketiah and Emile Rowe-Smith showing England's kids struggle to produce under the pressure of group stage football.
The question for the FA is how such an array of young talent keeps failing – is it leadership, tactical set up or motivation on the low key stage away from the Premier League and Championship.
England U21s have now won just three of their last 18 tournament final games. Boothroyd's record at U21 finals is played eight won two, lost 4. His FA contract expires in the summer.
Boothroyd said: “There is no time for moping around. We have to have a real go against Portugal (on Sunday).
“We were not clinical enough and the final ball wasn't what we needed it to be. We didn't create enough, simple as that. We are not out of it yet and we can still get out of the group.
“We played a safe game. We didn't risk the ball. We have to go through adversity to come out of the other side. They have to live these experiences before they get to the seniors.
“It is a very down dressing room. It is disappointing. We were horribly unlucky. Deja-vu form 2019? The format is different so we are not out yet. It is a setback.”
Boothroyd's side were sleepy, lacking punch and pace, and managed just one shot on target, a free kick from Hudson-Odoi.
They were beaten by a 78 th minute long range strike from Nice striker Dan Ndoye, which looped over Aaron Ramsdale after flicking his standing foot.
Defender Ben Godfrey said: “This makes it difficult. We have to bounce back. We trust the manager tactically. We have to show good character.”
Boothroyd have vowed to go for an attacking formation against Portugal on Sunday night and Croatia next week.
They can't afford another defeat, but have more leeway to get out of their group because a quarter final has been added to the summer knockout stage.
PLAYER RATINGS
England (3-4-3)
Ramsdale 6, Guehi 5, Godfrey 5, Kelly 5; Aarons 4, Skipp 5, Davies 4 (Eze 66, 4) McNeil 5 (R Sessegnon 75); Smith-Rowe 4 (Jones 66, 4), Hudson-Odoi 5; Nketiah 4 (Brewster 75)
Switzerland (4-4-2)
Racioppi 7; Lotomba 7, Bamert 7, Zesiger 7, Muheim 7; Toma 7 (Ruegg 85), Domgjoni 7, Jankewitz 7, Ndoye 7 (Mambimbi 79); Guillemenot 7 (Imeri 66, 7), Zeqiri 7,
