Letter: Skilled labour required

Sir: The poverty of England's performance against Norway was appalling. But should we be surprised and shocked? When was the last time an England football team played with flair and imagination? Perhaps the fact is: If you take a largely dull, stilted population, these characteristics will necessarily be reflected, not only in our national style of life and economic performance, but also in our sport. Hence in football and cricket, we have teams of unsurpassed inadequacy and lack of nous. One day, perhaps, we will wake up and realise that only by investing in skill will we achieve success.

Yours faithfully,

SIMON WHEELER

Putney

3 June