Following their abrupt exit from this summer's European Championship, the inevitable inquest into England Under-21s' failings soon got underway.
Current and former pros alike, including Joey Barton and Mark Lawrenson, slated the Young Lions for their abject performances which the latter claimed was down to the large amounts of money now on offer in the game.
Barton, meanwhile, stuck the knife in a little further by suggesting that English football is "rotten from top to bottom" as a result of the ever-growing popularity of the Premier League.
Whichever way you look at it, Gareth Southgate's men well and truly failed to turn up in the Czech Republic, leading to a third-successive group-stage exit.
With that in mind, Sports Mole takes a closer look at each of those 17 players involved and rates whether the latest crop will be a hit or miss in the coming years based on their Euro showings alone.
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Jack Butland
The Stoke City shot-stopper signed out of Young Lions duty on a sour note, having conceded five goals as his side collapsed before the knockout stages yet again. Butland himself has plenty to feel positive about, however, and with regular first-team football at Premier League level next season a real possibility, he is likely to provide the sternest competition to Joe Hart. Verdict: Hit
Carl Jenkinson
Arguably England's best player at what was another disappointing finals overall, with his forays down the line helping turn defence into attack. A spot in the senior side may not be on the cards just yet, but if he can impress out on loan once again in 2015-16 then he will certainly provide one of the gems in this side. Verdict: Hit
John Stones
One of the most promising players in this set-up, it was a huge shame to see Stones miss two thirds of England's campaign due to a concussion picked up prior to the tournament. FA rules state that, even though the Everton man was feeling fit enough to play, he had to watch on from the sidelines. Tough to judge him on this tournament alone, but he did show in his one game that he is certainly captain material for the future. Verdict: Hit
Liam Moore
His last appearance before these finals came back on March 7 in a Championship clash against Ipswich Town, which perhaps told in his performances. The Leicester City defender, who spent the final months of last term out on loan at Brentford, must now attempt to nail down a regular playing berth at both club and international level. Verdict: Miss
Ben Gibson
So strong throughout qualifying, it could not have been easy for Gibson to re-adjust to a new defensive partner alongside him at the last minute. Southgate's men conceded just two goals throughout qualification, remember, so the jury is very much still out at this moment in time. Verdict: Maybe
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Luke Garbutt
Did not make the most of crossing opportunities when they arose, and at the age of 22 he now needs to make a clear decision over his future at club level. Five senior appearances at Everton in four years, a time largely spent away at Colchester United on loan, has not done a great deal to aid his development. A further loan spell awaits. Verdict: Miss
Jake Forster-Caskey
On the back of just eight appearances for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Championship last season, Forster-Caskey was brought into the fold against Italy in what was a surprise inclusion by boss Southgate. It did not pay off, with the Young Lions failing to capitalise on their openings and falling to a costly defeat. Verdict: Miss
Alex Pritchard
The Tottenham Hotspur hopeful went off injured in the second game, which provided another blow that Southgate had to contend with. Looked highly promising in the minutes he did play, however, as he did in the Championship with Brentford last season, and there are even suggestions that he will be promoted to the Spurs starting line-up next term. Verdict: Hit
James Ward-Prowse
Struggled badly in the opening game and did not feature thereafter. A great shame as the Southampton academy product had played a big role for his side in qualification, but ultimately failed to produce the goods on the biggest stage - something which will suit him just find should he run out for the senior side. Verdict: Miss
Tom Carroll
Following with the theme of promising players failing to match the hype, Carroll's solid performances in the drawn-out qualification stages could not be matched in the Czech Republic. Did very well when linking up with Swansea City on loan last season; a similar loan move may now be required. Verdict: Miss
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Nathaniel Chalobah
Southgate perhaps showed too much faith in Chalobah, rather than turning to another Chelsea youngster in Loftus-Cheek. Could not get a grip on the game against Sweden and Italy, but is likely to remain a regular when England kick their Euro 2017 campaign off later this year. Verdict: Miss
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Slated by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho for his under-par showing in a post-season tour match Down Under, the Blues rookie clearly heeded the advice of his club boss by showing glimpses of what he is capable of during his cameo appearances. Still young, meaning that the next two years will likely see him given more of a chance with the Under-21s. Verdict: Hit
Nathan Redmond
As guilty as anyone in terms of failing to make things happen in the final third, although he did bag himself a goal in the dying embers of England's campaign. Showed promising form in helping Norwich City to the Premier League last season, leading to talk of a senior call-up. Consistency is now needed on the biggest stage of them all in the Premier League. Verdict: Maybe
Will Hughes
Hooked off at half time against Sweden - a move that ultimately paid off for Southgate - Hughes will not look back on this finals showing with a great deal of fondness. Like many others in the travelling party, his showing here was in stark contrast to the displays put on across the past couple of years, which could be down to a hangover from Derby County's dire end to the Championship season last time out. Verdict: Miss
Harry Kane
Not many players headed into this tournament with more weight on their shoulders than Kane, who on the back of a stellar breakthrough campaign was expected to be the man to fire England to glory. A failure to find the net on a single occasion put paid to any hopes he had of international glory, though, in what was his U21s swansong. Verdict: Miss
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Jesse Lingard
Hugely unlucky to miss out for Manchester United last season after picking up an injury in the opening game against Swansea City. Lingard has had to bide his time, but his coming-of-age winner against Sweden was a high point of the competition on both an individual and collective level. Verdict: Hit
Danny Ings
A wayward shot from the Liverpool new-boy, in which he dragged his effort well wide of goal from range, soon circulated on social media sites in an attempt to disparage what otherwise appears to be a smart purchase from the Reds. There is no denying that Ings will need to up his game if he is to produce the goods at Anfield, with his glaring miss against Italy going a long way to highlighting that point. Verdict: Miss
Written by
Daniel Lewis
Daniel Lewis
