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:
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.
5. Bukayo Saka - Arsenal
It's telling that the versatile Gunner is listed in the squad as a forward, rather than a midfielder or defender. In other words, he's not making the final cut, as there are too many more high profile options vying for the same spot. Photo: Pool
6. Jesse Lingard - Man Utd/West Ham
Will Gareth deprive the nation of the greatest choreographed dance routines ever to be seen at a major tournament? Quite possibly, yes. Southampton skipper James Ward-Prowse should just edge JLingz out of a place in the squad. Photo: Pool
7. Mason Greenwood - Manchester United
It's another tricky decision, but it feels like Greenwood is a little more on the periphery of the squad than Ollie Watkins is at the moment. The latter has stepped up to top tier football with aplomb this season, scoring 14 goals for Aston Villa. Photo: Pool