The thing about being serial failures is that it becomes possible to detect the tell-tale signs at the earliest opportunity, and to self-diagnose. Gordon Strachan will repeat the old mantra about this being early days in the World Cup campaign, with only two games played and another 24 points to play for. It’s correct to say the damage done by drawing at home to Lithuania need not be irreparable, especially given that the pot two seeds, Slovakia, have made such a poor start that they are grounded without a point after two games. It’s just that, well, everyone’s been here…

Source: The Times October 09, 2016 23:03 UTC