cut and thrust

His one failing seems to be a tendency to mis-time lunging tackles, something he will need to get right in the cut and thrust of the Premier League, but otherwise he appears to have all the attributes - very strong in the air, mobile, and able to ping an accurate long-range pass.

He brings experience on the world stage - he governed the Bank of England from 2013-2020 - but lacks time spent in the cut and thrust of political campaigning, and will get his first real test in this general election.

He loved the cut and thrust of Westminster politics - as well as the intrigue - and he could wield words with the best of them.

"We do know from the Covid era that remote meetings do lack the proper cut and thrust required in this political arena", he said.

For his critics, Southgate's team had become a caricature of the manager himself - all caution and consideration, no cut and thrust.