Sky Sports News' Rob Dorsett: "A key question for Gareth Southgate now is when does a blip become a malaise? There were reasons why and excuses for England's poor performances and results in the summer. However, you can't use any of those excuses for England's defeat to Italy."
A key question for England, Gareth Southgate and the supporters now is when does a blip become a malaise, writes Sky Sports News' senior reporter Rob Dorsett following Gareth Southgate's side's 1-0 defeat to Italy.
It's now their fifth game without a win - their worst run in eight years - which ramps up concerns about the prospects of the Three Lions two months out from the World Cup in Qatar.
'No excuses for defeat to Italy'
A key question for England, Gareth Southgate and the supporters now is when does a blip become a malaise?
There were reasons why and excuses for England's poor performances and results in the summer. The players were tired and there were a lot of players missing because of injury. Southgate said he was trying to rest and protect several players who had played a lot of minutes, and a couple of the games in the Nations League back then were in empty stadiums and behind closed doors.
However, you can't use any of those excuses for England's defeat to Italy in the San Siro on Friday evening.
'Defensive issues remain; Too many key players out of form'
The focus was on Harry Maguire before the game. He hadn't played in six Premier League matches for Manchester United but was given a start by Gareth Southgate.
I thought he did okay but it did look like there was miscommunication and disorganisation between him and Eric Dier and Kyle Walker at various times.
Jude Bellingham, again, there was lots of focus surrounding him before the game. I thought he did well linking up the play effectively, but if Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling are ineffective in the game, as they were against Italy, and aren't going to get England's goals, there is a fear about where the goals and the creativity comes from.
Phil Foden played well but he couldn't do it all on his own.
Those defensive frailties are still a growing concern, but I think the biggest problem is that England have too many of their key players out of form and not playing regularly for their club. They are just not getting enough football.
Maguire is at the heart of that, Luke Shaw, Ben Chilwell, Kalvin Phillips and Jack Grealish even, who did okay and provided a bit of a spark when he came off the bench against Italy.