I'm sad about dying

I don't think I'm afraid of dying.

My personal belief system tells me that life doesn't simply end, and I believe I'll be reborn in some form, somewhere.

But I do sometimes feel sad at the thought of my final days.

I honestly believe that I'll know the very last time I see the people I love; my beautiful wife and my amazing daughters. When my mind wanders in that direction, I find it very sad and painful. Even just writing this brings a ruddy tear to my eye!

I think, particularly as a parent, these thoughts hit harder than the very thought of death itself.

Not because I'll be gone. Not because I know they'll carry on without me. Simply because I'll know that I'll never see them again.

I think it's strange that I can make peace with my own ending far more easily than I can make peace with leaving the people I love behind.

I am always hopeful that:

1. I am a long way from my final days.

2. I'll learn to come to terms with the end, and not find it quite as sad as I do now.

Developing my Digital Garden

I have to say that I’m pretty happy with this digital garden as it stands right now.

It does what I want it to do. It gives me a place to write, think, and put ideas out into the world without overthinking them. [What is a Digital Garden]

But… I keep getting ideas.

Not big, grand plans. Just little things that I might add, change, or experiment with over time. Some of these will happen soon, some later, and some probably never.

That’s the point, I think. This isn’t a finished thing. So with that in mind, here’s a running list of where this might go next.

Things I’m Thinking About

Newsletter
Some people might want updates when new posts go live. I’ve been looking at Buttondown, and it feels like it would fit nicely without turning this into a “marketing” thing.

RSS feed
This is an easy win. I just need to stop putting it off and actually switch it on properly.

Planted and tended dates 
I like the idea of explosing the date any post is created (Planted) and modified (Tended), it would just give the reader and idea of the age of the piece and nothing else. Now Live. Not going to lie, it took a lot of time to get the Tendered date sorted, which was actually my error as it seemed to be giving spurious dates, but I forgot that I changed some labels around 😂 

Comments
I’m in two minds about this. This space is mainly for me getting ideas out of my head, but I know some people will want to respond. Digital gardens don’t always lean that way, so this might stay off. Definately staying off, I don't want Comments on this, it's my space.

Analytics
I don’t want to get obsessed with numbers, but I do want a rough idea of what people find useful. If something connects, I’d like to build on it rather than ignore it. Live

Bidirectional links
This is a big part of the digital garden idea. If a post links to another post, or something links back in, I’d like to show that connection. It helps ideas feel joined up rather than scattered. I still have no idea how I am going to achieve this.

A “Now” page
A simple page that shows what I’m doing or thinking about right now. No polish, just a snapshot. Now Live

Best of the Garden
A small, changing list of posts that are worth a read. Not everything, just the ones I think have something about them. Live - they are on the homepage as "Pinned" and "Best Of".

Topic pages
Turning some labels into proper pages, so related posts live together in a more intentional way.

Updating old posts
Going back and adding notes to older posts when my thinking changes. Less “publish and forget”, more “publish and grow”.

I might also move towards a simple structure where posts are tagged as #seed (a quick idea), #sprout (something taking shape but not quite there yet), and #flower (something I’m happy to call finished).

It feels like a natural fit for a digital garden, and it would give me an easy way to find posts that need a bit more work.

Short notes
Not everything needs to be a full post. Quick thoughts, ideas, or links with a bit of commentary. Live in sense that I have started writing shorter posts ... germs of ideas (or indeed seeds)

A proper search page
Blogger already has search, but giving it its own page would make it feel more like part of the site. Now Live and part of the core navbar.

Blogroll / interesting people
A page of sites and people I rate. Feels like a nice nod to the wider web.

Changelog
A simple log of changes to the site. Small tweaks, experiments, things that worked and things that didn’t.

This isn’t a roadmap. It’s just a list of things that feel interesting right now.

If you’re reading this in the future, you’ll be able to see which ones actually made it.

 

 

The Father Figure I Didn't Realise I Had

My grandad was Norman Griffiths.

I can't tell you how much I loved my maternal grandad. Even in my early twenties, I used to say that I couldn't wait to become a grandad myself one day.

I lost Grandad in 1994 when I was 27. He was only 72.

Thankfully, one of my daughters gave me my first grandchild, Freddie, in 2025, so I finally got my chance.

The reason I'm writing this is because I've just had a bit of a realisation.

My dad left when I was 11. Looking back, I think Grandad quietly became my father figure after that. I don't think I'd ever consciously thought about it before, but it explains a lot about why I adored him so much.

When I was growing up, he could be a pain and brilliant in equal measure.

There were the ruddy chin pinches and the times he'd trap me between his legs so I couldn't escape. As a child, that was endlessly annoying. Looking back now, I'd probably give anything to experience it one more time.

We weren't a wealthy family, but my grandparents always seemed to find a way. They bought some of our best Christmas presents, and I'm fairly sure they helped pay for our annual holidays to Great Yarmouth.

More importantly, Grandad taught me things that had nothing to do with money. He helped shape the person I became. The older I get, the more I realise how much of my outlook, values, and approach to life came from him.

It's funny how some things take decades to understand.

I always knew I loved my grandad.

What I've only just realised is that, after my dad left, he became the man I looked up to most.

Love you, Grandad.

VAR do your job

Football has always had its dark arts, but diving feels like it’s getting harder and harder to ignore. Some of it is subtle. Some of it is laughably obvious. A player feels the slightest touch, throws themselves to the floor, then rolls around like they’ve been hit by a van. The frustrating part is that everyone watching can often see exactly what’s happened within seconds, especially with slow-motion replays from five different angles.

That’s why I keep coming back to the same thought... VAR, do your job. If the technology exists to spend three minutes checking whether someone’s toenail was offside, then surely it can step in when a player has clearly tried to con the ref. Diving is cheating. Simple as that. Start handing out yellow cards retrospectively for obvious simulation and I honestly think a lot of it disappears within a season. Right now, there’s barely any downside to trying it, and that’s part of the problem.

Pinter FAQ: Everything I’ve Learned Brewing With the Pinter

I’ve been using the Pinter for a while now, and this page pulls together the questions I had before buying one, the things I’ve learned through brewing with it, and the small tips that have made the biggest difference.

This is not meant to be a perfect technical manual. It is based on my own use, my own results, and the little bits of trial and error that happen when you brew beer at home in a plastic pressure vessel that lives in your fridge.

Quick note: if you are looking for my real-world brewing and conditioning times, I have a separate guide here: Pinter Brewing Times by Beer: Real Batch Notes.

On this page:

• General Pinter questions
• Brewing times and conditioning
• Fridge, storage, and serving
• Carbonation and pouring
• Fresh Press and hop oil
• Subscriptions, Co-Pinters, and buying
• Troubleshooting
• My personal Pinter tips

General Pinter questions

What is the Pinter?

At its simplest, you clean the system and sterilise it using the sterilising kit in the box, add water straight from the tap. Add the Fresh Press extract, add the yeast from the kit, give it a good shake, then leave it to brew.

What is the basic Pinter brewing process?

A Pinter is a relatively small 10 pint brewing system that minics commercial brewing by fermenting at pressure, this tends to mean that brewing is quicker and more relaiable that traditional home brewing.

Is it easy to learn to use a Pinter?

Yes, it is. There is also a free app that takes you through the brewing process step by step. The app is also used to manage your account and any subscriptions that you might have.

Is the Pinter worth it?

For me, yes. I like the Pinter and I’m pleased I got one. The idea of brewing around 10 pints of beer at home by just adding tap water to a Fresh Press is appealing, especially when the process itself is part of the fun.

Ten pints also feels like a sensible amount. It is enough to enjoy properly, but not so much that you are stuck drinking the same beer for weeks.

Is the Pinter any good?

I have had some very good results from the Pinter, especially when I follow the recommended brewing and conditioning times and brew at the right temperature.

Within a week or two, depending on the beer style, you can have a decent beer on tap in your fridge. Some beers need longer than the minimum time, but the best results I’ve had have been genuinely enjoyable.

Is Pinter beer any good?

Yes, the ones I've tried have been anyway, they do some very good (and popular) beer styles, they also work with well-known breweries and drinks brands, including BrewDog, Iron Maiden, Lagunitas, Adnams, Yeastie Boys, Signature Brew, Fourpure, and Brewgooder.

That does not mean every beer will be perfect, and personal taste still matters. But the range is far more interesting than a basic homebrew kit, and some of the beers are much better than I expected.

How many pints do you get from a Pinter?

A Pinter makes around 10 pints, which is roughly 5.7 litres.

Is the Pinter easy to use?

Yes, once you understand the process. The basic idea is simple: clean and sanitise the Pinter, add tap water, add the Fresh Press (what they call their concentrated beer), add yeast, shake well, brew, condition, and serve.

The main things that catch people out are temperature, mixing, carbonation, and patience. The Pinter is easy to use, but it still rewards doing the basics properly.

Is the Pinter proper homebrew?

It depends what you mean by proper homebrew. You are not mashing grains or boiling hops, but you are still fermenting beer at home using yeast.

I see it as a halfway point between traditional homebrew and buying beer from a shop. It gives you the fun of brewing, but without needing a garage full of equipment. I was a proper homebrewer, I did proper all grain brewing as well as extract brewing. It take times and it's easy to introduce off flavours, this is simpler and it just give me more time to do other stuff now.

Is the Pinter better than normal beer kits?

The Pinter is cleaner, tidier, and more convenient than most traditional beer kits. You do not need bottles, barrels, siphons, or a big fermenting bucket. Pinter is actually more like the pressure brewing of a proper brewery, so results tend to be better.

Traditional beer kits give you more flexibility, and they can be slightly cheaper per pint. The Pinter wins on convenience, neatness, and the fact you can serve straight from the unit.

Brewing times and conditioning

What is the quickest Pinter beer to brew?

Ciders are usually the quickest and can be ready in as little as 8 days. Some pale ales and IPAs, such as Space Hopper, can also have a minimum time of around 8 days.

That said, I usually recommend giving most beers a little longer if you can. The minimum time often gets you to drinkable. A few extra days can get you to much better.

How long does Pinter beer take to brew?

It depends on the beer. Some lighter styles can be ready in just over a week, while stronger beers, darker beers, and lagers usually benefit from longer brewing and conditioning.

As a rough rule, I would rather give a beer too much time than rush it. Most of my better Pinter results have come from patience (which can be difficult when your keep to try a Pint)

Should I follow the official Pinter brewing times?

Yes and no, they are a good starting point. I would not go shorter than the official times, especially when you are new to the Pinter.

From my experience, the official times are often the minimum rather than the perfect point. Some beers improve noticeably with extra conditioning.

Can you leave Pinter beer conditioning for longer?

Yes, within reason. Longer conditioning often helps the beer settle, smooth out, and taste cleaner.

I would not ignore the beer for months, but adding a few extra days or even an extra week can help, especially with lagers, stouts, and stronger beers.

Do lagers need longer in the Pinter?

In my experience, yes they do. Lagers usually benefit from longer cold conditioning because they taste better when they have had time to clean up and settle.

You can drink some lagers quite quickly, but the difference between a rushed lager and a properly conditioned one can be quite noticeable.

Do darker beers need longer in the Pinter?

They often do. Darker beers and stronger beers usually benefit from a bit more time, especially during conditioning.

They can taste a little rough or unfinished early on. Give them longer and they often become smoother, rounder, and more enjoyable.

Fridge, storage, and serving

Do I need a fridge for a Pinter?

Ideally, yes (or at least fridge space). The Pinter is about 35cm deep, 23cm wide, and 21cm high, so it takes up a fair bit of fridge space.

You usually need the fridge for cold crashing, conditioning, and serving. Depending on the beer, it may only need to be in the fridge for 3 to 7 days before drinking, but it still needs enough space to sit properly.

How long can beer stay in the Pinter?

Once your beer has finished conditioning, it can stay fresh inside the Pinter for up to 28 days, provided you keep it refrigerated.

The tap mechanism and sealed environment help keep oxygen out, which helps stop the beer going stale. Once you pour the first pint, I would aim to drink the rest within about 7 days to enjoy it at its best and freshest.

Does the Pinter need to stay in the fridge after conditioning?

Yes, once the beer is ready to drink, keep it refrigerated. Cold storage helps the beer stay fresh and keeps the carbonation under control. In winter months a cold kitchen, utility room or bar areas hould be fine most of the time.

Warm beer will foam more, pour worse, and taste less clean.

Can I serve Pinter beer straight away after conditioning?

Yes, but I usually find the first pint can be a little lively or cloudy, depending on the beer.

After the first pour, things often settle down. If the beer is still too foamy or tastes yeasty, it probably needs more time cold. Alwasy pour very slowly at first,

Carbonation and pouring

Does the Pinter carbonate beer properly?

Yes, it can carbonate beer very well. In fact, some beers can be very lively if the carbonation dial is set too high or the beer has not had enough time to settle.

Carbonation depends on the beer style, the dial setting, the brewing temperature, and how long the beer has conditioned. My recmmendation if to follow Pinters recommended settings that coe with the brew, is that carbonate as you would like, amend it for your next one. I keep a check on all my Pinter brewing times here.

Why is my Pinter beer too foamy?

Foam usually comes from too much pressure, warm beer, not enough conditioning time, or pouring too quickly.

Make sure the beer is properly chilled and let it condition for long enough. Pour at first gently and keep the glass angled. If it is still too lively, give it more time in the fridge.

Why is my Pinter beer flat?

Flat beer can happen if the carbonation setting was too low (1 or 2), the beer was not sealed properly, or fermentation did not complete as expected.

Temperature matters too. If the beer was too cold during fermentation, the yeast may not have done enough work. If it was too warm, the beer can ferment too quickly and still not condition well.

What carbonation dial setting should I use?

I usually treat the carbonation dial as a style guide rather than an exact science. Lagers, pale ales, and ciders often suit a little more carbonatio n(4-5). Stouts, porters, and darker beers usually suit a little less (3-4).

When you start out, just follow the recommendation in the Pinter app.

Fresh Press and hop oil

What is a Pinter Fresh Press?

The Fresh Press is the concentrated beer mixture you use to brew with the Pinter. You add it to the Pinter with water and yeast, then the beer ferments inside the unit.

Some Fresh Presses also come with hop oil, but not all beers need it.

Why has my Fresh Press not come with hop oil?

Not every Pinter beer needs extra hop oil. Some recipes are designed without it, so it is not automatically a problem if there is no hop oil vial in the pack.

What is the Pinter hop hack?

The Pinter hop hack comes from users worrying about two possible issues with hop oil.

The first is that the thick hop oil may not move properly from the vial into the Pinter. I have personally never had this problem, but in theory, pressure inside the brewing unit could slow it down. If that happens, gently rock the Pinter and the oil should move from the vial.

The second worry is that the hop oil drops straight through the beer and ends up in the brewing base, making it less effective. In my own testing, this has not been an issue. The beer has still taken on the aroma and flavour from the oil.

You can disengage the brewing dock before adding the oil if you want to be extra cautious, but I personally do not think you need to.

Do I need to shake the Pinter hard when mixing?

Yes. Shake well for at least two minutes. Then a few seconds longer just to make sure. The Fresh Press can be thick, so it needs proper mixing. A gentle swirl is not enough.

I have found it best to shake hard and make sure the Fresh Press, water, and yeast are properly combined. Poor mixing can lead to weaker flavour, uneven fermentation, and disappointing beer.

Can I reuse a Pinter Fresh Press?

No. A Fresh Press is designed for one brew only.

Once it has been used, you need a new Fresh Press for the next batch.

Subscriptions, Co-Pinters, and buying

Is Pinter a subscription?

Pinter offers both subscription and non-subscription options.

I personally went for the subscription because it provided two free Pinters at the time. That means I do not have to wait for one beer to finish before starting another. The trade-off is that you commit to placing a set number of beer orders per Pinter (typically between 4-6), but then the Pinter(s) is(are) yours.

Is the Pinter really free?

If you take up one of the subscription offers, you can pick up a Pinter for free.

It is worth reading the terms properly, though. Free usually means you are committing to future Fresh Press orders rather than buying the unit outright.

What is a Co-Pinter?

A Co-Pinter is an additional standalone Pinter body. It lets you brew one beer while drinking from another Pinter.

This is useful because brewing, conditioning, and drinking all take time. Having more than one Pinter makes the whole system feel much smoother.

Can you brew two Pinter beers at once?

Yes, I have two full Pinters, its means that I can have two brewing at the same time. If you get a Co-Pinter, that usually comes without a brewing dock, so you can only start your next bew once your first is conditioning.

This is one of the best reasons to have more than one. You can have one beer conditioning while another is being served.

Is Pinter cheaper than buying beer?

It depends what you compare it with. It is usually cheaper than buying 10 pints in a pub, but not always cheaper than supermarket beer.

For me, the value is not only about price per pint. It is also about the fun of brewing, the choice of beers, and having fresh beer on tap at home.

Troubleshooting

Why does my Pinter beer taste yeasty?

A yeasty taste usually means the beer needs more time to settle, especially cold conditioning time in the fridge.

It can also happen if the Pinter has been moved around too much before serving, or the brewing temperature was too high. Try to keep it still once it is conditioning and serving, and stick to the brewing temperatures recommended in the Pinter App.

Why is my Pinter beer cloudy?

Some beers are meant to be cloudy, especially hazy pale ales and IPAs. But if a beer tastes yeasty or unfinished as well as looking cloudy, it probably needs more time.

Cold conditioning helps the beer clear and settle. A few extra days in the fridge can make a big difference.

Why does my Pinter beer taste weak?

Weak flavour can come from poor mixing, incorrect water levels, brewing too cold, or drinking the beer too early.

Make sure the Fresh Press is fully mixed at the start. Also make sure you fill to the correct level and give the beer enough time to brew and condition.

Why has my Pinter beer not fermented properly?

The most common reason is temperature. Yeast needs the right temperature range to work properly.

If the room is too cold, fermentation can be slow or incomplete. If it is too warm, the beer can ferment too quickly and produce off flavours.

Can I bottle Pinter beer?

You can transfer Pinter beer into bottles, but the system is not really designed for it.

The Pinter works best as a sealed brewing and serving system. Bottling adds extra risk from oxygen, contamination, and carbonation problems.

Can I use normal beer kits in a Pinter?

I would not recommend it. The Pinter is designed around its own Fresh Press system, volumes, pressure, and brewing process.

Other beer kits may not behave properly in the Pinter and could create pressure, flavour, cleaning problems, or break your Pinter!

My personal Pinter tips

What is the best Pinter beer for beginners?

I would start with something forgiving, such as a pale ale, IPA, or cider. These styles tend to be quicker and more reliable than lagers or darker beers.

Once you understand the process, then try lagers, stouts, and stronger beers.

What is the biggest mistake new Pinter users make?

Rushing it. The beer may technically be ready after the minimum time, but that does not always mean it is at its best.

The second biggest mistake is not mixing hard enough at the start. Fresh Press is thick and needs proper shaking. The Pinter App used to say mix for a minute, I think that advice has een updated now, it needs at least two minutes of a good mix.

What temperature should I brew Pinter beer at?

Follow the temperature guidance for the beer you are brewing in the Pinter App. Temperature makes a huge difference to fermentation.

If the room is too cold, the yeast can struggle. If it is too warm, the beer can taste rough. A steady room temperature is usually better than one that swings up and down through the day.

Should I always give Pinter beer longer than the minimum time?

In most cases, yes. I see the minimum time as the earliest point you can drink it, not always the best point.

A few extra days can help the beer taste cleaner, pour better, and feel more finished.

Would I recommend the Pinter?

Yes, but with realistic expectations. It is not magic, and it will not turn you into a master brewer overnight.

But if, like me, you like beer, enjoy a bit of experimenting, and fancy having 10 pints on tap in your fridge, it is a fun bit of kit.

Final note: I’ll keep adding to this FAQ as I brew more beers and learn more from real batches. The Pinter is simple on the surface, but the small details make a big difference.

Van Halen Were Basically a Novelty Act

I love rock music and metal, but I’ve always carried around what feels like a slightly controversial opinion about Van Halen.

To me, they often felt like a novelty act.

Not in the sense that they lacked talent, because that would be (partly) ridiculous, but in the way they presented themselves. The spandex. The songs designed solely to show off Eddie Van Halen's guitar skills. The massive hair. The goofy onstage antics. David Lee Roth bouncing around like some chaotic circus ringmaster. At times they felt less like a dangerous rock band and more like a cartoon version of one.

They definitely has the style over substance thing down to a fine art.

Sometimes they only seemed a couple of steps removed from Bad News.

And yet I do understand what Van Halen brought to the genre.

Eddie Van Halen changed rock guitar forever, and it wasn't just technically. The tapping, the tone, the production ideas, the sheer energy in his playing. Rock guitar after Eddie sounded different because of Eddie.

Then there’s the fact that I realise that novelty acts tend not to dominate arenas for over a decade. They don’t release multiple huge albums. And they definitely don’t survive replacing an iconic frontman with somebody completely different (or at least I'm struggling for an example of when they do).

Van Halen somehow pulled off one of the hardest tricks in rock history when Sammy Hagar replaced David Lee Roth (Iron Maiden did it and just about got away with it IMHO).

Van Halen changed style massively, became more polished, more melodic, and arguably more consistent. I’d even say they became a better band under Sammy Hagar, although I know that opens up another argument entirely.

So maybe the truth is that Van Halen were both things at once.

They looked ridiculous. They acted ridiculous. Their songs are just ridiculous, and parts of the whole thing were pure theatre.

But underneath all of that was one of the most important rock bands ever assembled.

And maybe that’s why they worked so well, even though I don't like them!

The Man History Lost Twice (Historical Fiction)

A story seed inspired by the life of Herbert Henry Scaife.

We know how the official story ends.

Private Herbert Henry Scaife, 2/4th Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, was reported missing during the fighting around Bourlon Wood in France on 27th November 1917. Months later, after enquiries by the Army and the British Red Cross failed to find any trace of him, his widow Margaret was informed that he was now presumed dead.

His body was never found.

His name was carved instead onto the Cambrai Memorial at Louverval, alongside thousands of other men who vanished into the chaos of the Great War.

But what if that was not the end of Herbert’s story?

Three days after the fighting had moved on, a French farmer picked his way carefully through the shattered edges of Bourlon Wood, searching for anything the Germans might have left behind. Timber. Tools. Food. Anything useful. The war had stripped the land bare, and survival often depended on what could be scavenged from the ruins.

That was when they found him.

Half buried in churned mud and splintered branches, still wearing the remains of a British uniform. One side of his head was blackened and swollen where a shell blast had torn through the trees nearby. He was alive, but barely.

When they tried speaking to him, he gave them only one word.

“Herbert.”

He said it again later in a weak, delirious murmur while they carried him back across the frozen ground.

“Herbert...”

The farmer and his wife knew enough about the war to understand the danger. If the Germans found a wounded British soldier hidden on their land, the consequences could be severe. But leaving him there to die felt impossible too.

So they hid him.

In the broken remains of an old farm building behind the house, they cleaned his wounds as best they could, fed him small amounts of bread and broth, and waited to see whether he would survive the winter.

The strange thing was that he did not seem to know who he was.

He recognised almost nothing around him. He spoke little. Sometimes he stared blankly into space for hours at a time. But every so often, usually in the dark hours before morning, the same word returned quietly under his breath.

“Herbert.”

And so that became his name.

Years later, the family he left behind would continue to mourn the brother, husband and father who never came home.

Meanwhile, across the Channel, an ageing farm worker with a Yorkshire face and a damaged memory would slowly build another life from the ruins of the old one.

In the end, Herbert Henry Scaife had two graves.

One held his name.

The other held the man himself.

History lost Herbert twice.

England’s Best World Cup XI (2026)

Every tournament, England fans end up having the same argument.

Who exactly is our best team, our best 11 in 2026.

So as I smashed my Fastasy Premier League mini leagues again this season, I started thinking about how you’d actually build an England side if you stripped away reputation, nostalgia, social media hype, and all the endless “he’s world class” noise that follows certain players around (you know who you are).

Instead, I kept it simple.

Goals matter. Assists matter. Clean sheets matter too. Simple isn’t it for the best team.

For this little experiment, goals are worth 5 points, assists are worth 2, clean sheets are worth 5, and defenders or goalkeepers playing in teams that concede one goal or fewer per game get another 2 points.

Straight away, something interesting happens.

The side starts picking itself.

Not the most exciting England team. Not the most fashionable one either. But probably the one best built to survive international tournament football, which is often slow, tense, tactical, and decided by moments rather than domination.

The Formation

I’ve gone with a 4-3-3.

Not because it seems to be a trendy formation right now, but because it still gives the best balance between defensive shape and attacking threat. 

Also, the England squad don’t spend enough time together to play complicated systems properly, so you need a structure players either play in today or can understand very quickly.

Also a good 4-3-3 played well naturally shifts shape during matches as you gain possession then defend.

Without the ball it should become compact and difficult to break down, plenty of pressing. With the ball, we need our forwards out wide to stretch the pitch while the midfielders push up and support the attack in a coordinated layer rather than chaos.

Most importantly, it stops England trying to squeeze four number tens into the same side and hoping for magic. Like we have done before.

My Team

GK: Jordan Pickford

People still seem strangely reluctant to give Pickford proper credit, but England’s defensive record with him is excellent.

I think he actually suits tournament football. He’s vocal, aggressive, quick off his line, and usually reliable when the pressure rises. He also has that slightly unhinged goalkeeper energy that great international keepers seem to possess.

You don’t always need the world’s best goalkeeper. Sometimes you just need one who consistently turns into a nightmare to beat in tournament football.

RB: Kyle Walker

I don't like the guy, and there are technically better right-backs available.

But Walker still gets in because recovery pace saves goals.

International football becomes dangerous when games stretch late on. One loose pass, one tired midfielder, one counter attack, and suddenly a centre-back is isolated. Walker cleans up situations most defenders simply cannot recover from.

His experience matters too. England sides in the past have sometimes looked mentally fragile in big moments. Walker rarely does, and he has that "hoof it out" mentality that I love on the back line.

CB: John Stones

I hate to admit it because I hate his style of play, but England still look calmer when Stones plays.

He carries the ball well, often reads danger early, and can (on good days) give the whole side composure. International football is full of nervous clearances and rushed decisions. Stones slows games down when England need control. For me though he still loves to play the with the ball at his feet too much.

He also suits a back four far more naturally than some of England’s other centre-back options.

CB: Marc Guéhi

Not flashy. Not constantly discussed. Just dependable.

Guéhi feels like one of those players managers quietly trust because he does the boring bits properly. His positioning is good, he stays calm under pressure, and he rarely turns matches into unnecessary drama.

That matters more in tournaments than people admit.

LB: Lewis Hall

This is probably my boldest selection, but I've already spoken to a few lads at work today and he'd be in their teams too.

Hall gives England something they often lack from deeper areas: genuine energy and width without becoming reckless. Modern full-backs have to contribute going forward now (like old fashioned wing-backs). Sitting deep for 90 minutes just invites pressure.

Hall also looks very comfortable receiving the ball in tight areas, which England badly need against compact sides that like to push.

DM: Declan Rice

Automatic selection here, I'm not a fan of Arsenal, but they are a solid unit.

Rice does the ugly work that allows other players to shine. He covers space quickly, protects the defence, wins second balls, and stops transitions before they become dangerous; he also likes to sometimes play an attacking role when his teams are in control, he's never reckless about it.

And while I hate agreeing with a friend of mine, you're right Owen, you notice players like Rice most when they’re missing.

CM: Jude Bellingham

Bellingham is the complete modern tournament midfielder.

He scores goals, creates chances, carries the ball through pressure, and seems completely unfazed by big occasions. There’s also a physical edge to him that England sides have sometimes lacked in midfield.

He already plays like somebody who believes he belongs at the highest level. That confidence spreads through teams.

CM: Cole Palmer

This was the hardest call, he's not had the best domestic season, but he's a player that likes to be noticed, so he's on the ball a lot, and hes got a decent distribution.

Palmer is there for goals, assists, and the big moments.

Palmer also has something slightly unusual for a young player. Nothing about him seems rushed. He plays at his own pace, even when matches become frantic around him.

That calmness feels very useful in knockout football.

RW: Bukayo Saka

Saka is probably England’s most complete attacking player right now.

He's a very reliable player. He has some intelligent movement with and without the ball. He's solid defensively when needed, and just consistent.

He rarely disappears from matches completely, which is surprisingly rare for attacking players, especially at international level.

I suppose in one word, he's trustworthy.

ST: Harry Kane

I really wish he wasn't, but I think he's still England’s best striker my a mile.

He gets himself into excellent positions and the goals keep coming, he has a excellent passing range which causes problems for defenders dropping too deep.

There are quicker forwards available. But better finishers? Strikers that are pretty decent at set-pieces and hardly misses penalties ... probably not.

LW: Anthony Gordon

International football desperately needs runners, and boy can this lad run.

Too many technically gifted teams become slow because everyone wants the ball into feet (yes Liverpool and Spurs, I'm looking at you).  Gordon stretches defences constantly, he runs beyond defenders, attacks space aggressively, and forces teams backwards.

All this creates room for Kane, Bellingham, and Palmer to operate centrally.

You can see it in defenders, there's something slightly irritating about playing against him.

So that's it

The interesting thing about building a side by simply scoring players is how quickly the balance started to show.

The best international football rarely goes to the prettiest side, it normally goes to the team that stays organised, survives difficult moments, and has enough quality to punish mistakes when they come along.

This England side feels closer to that than some of the wildly attacking versions people keep trying to build on paper every summer.