At times, you really do have to feel for Gareth Southgate.
Despite beating Spain and Germany away from home, guiding England to two major tournaments (losing one, repeat ONE, game) making the finals of the UEFA Nations League, oh, and taking the country to a World Cup semi-final, there are some he’ll never win over.
He continues to be derided by the kind of characters who would sell their own grandmothers for a few Fifa coins if they could, as he's not the kind of glamorous, gung-ho figurehead who should apparently be leading England brashly into battle with a swagger - ideally playing a 2-2-6 formation and a heavy focus on xG.
Inevitably, he's taken a social media caning for his provisional squad selection, with every man and his dog having a complaint about who's been picked and who hasn't. He can't pick them all, folks, which is a shame, as that would be delightful.
Now, the England boss has just a week to decide which seven players are going to be trimmed of the list ahead of the final squad announcement. Here's who we reckon will be chopped by June 1st:
1. Aaron Ramsdale - Sheffield United
One for the future, perhaps, but he's not making the plane/train/automobile this time around. Nick Pope suffered the agony of missing out at the last minute with an injury, but West Bromwich Albion's Sam Johnston looks set to replace him. The number one shirt is unquestionably Jordan Pickford's now, surely. Photo: Gareth Copley
2. Kieran Trippier - Atletico Madrid
This one was really, really tricky. Kyle Walker is a dead cert to make the team, with Chelsea's Reece James just behind him - they're the best two right-backs defensively. Trent Alexander-Arnold looks like he'll just about scrape in due to his ability to create something out of nothing - an invaluable asset that Trippier doesn't possess. That free-kick against Croatia, mind... Photo: Pool
3. Ben White - Brighton & Hove Albion
If he plays an absolute blinder in training, then just maybe. Conor Coady looks like the man whose spot is there to challenge, with Tyrone Mings likely to slot in alongside John Stones if Harry Maguire isn't fit to start against Croatia. Photo: Mike Hewitt
4. Ben Godfrey - Everton
The 23-year-old was a late surprise addition to Southgate's provisional squad, and in all fairness he's had a decent debut season for the Toffees. He'll need to do something special (perhaps Gareth would like a swish new silk waistcoat?) to force his way into the squad. Photo: Pool