England boss Fabio Capello finally gave youth its head on Wednesday and saw his side become thoroughly unstuck against a rejuvenated France team at Wembley.
Since the debacle of South Africa there have been growing calls to cast aside the old guard in the hope that a new generation of players could deliver where their predecessors had so spectacularly failed.
But such sentiments often prove more romantic than pragmatic and so it proved on Wednesday as Capello's experimental side showed little to persuade Three Lions fans that the future is rosy.
Of the newcomers only Andy Carroll showed any promise although the Newcastle hit man had to feed off scraps, such was the woeful supply line to the front. Neither Jordan Henderson, meanwhile, nor Jay Bothroyd look ready to grace the international stage.
All England's old failings were there to see on a chastening night in the capital.
The French, meanwhile, looked a different team from the shambles that brought such disgrace to the World Cup.
Laurent Blanc must be applauded for his rebuilding efforts with Karim Benzema, Samir Nasri and Yoann Gourcuff impressing for Les Bleus.
Capello will plead that England were missing too many regulars including the likes of John Terry, Ashley Cole and Wayne Rooney. The latter in particular was missed as the Three Lions showed a distinct lack of guile, although such has been the form of the Manchester United striker of late that even his inclusion may have done little to stem the tide.
It is a pity Arsenal's Jack Wilshere was unable to take part after pulling out through injury. How England could have done with a ball playing midfielder capable of retaining possession.
However, of deeper concern to Capello will be the genuine dearth of talent at his disposal. There had already been murmurings of discontent that the Italian had started trawling the Championship for the likes of Bothroyd and this performance will do little to dampen those voices.
The Italian, of course, will fall back on his regulars when the Euro qualifying resumes, and despite the recent blip against Montenegro, the Three Lions should have enough in the tank to make Poland and Ukraine.
England fans, however, are far too jaded to expect that a dimming Golden Generation will deliver silverware in 2012. Their concern now will be that on Wednesday night's evidence, the wait for major honours is likely to continue for some time yet.
