THE most damning thing you could say about Scotland’s performance as they exited the Euros at the hands of Hungary last night is that it was just like watching England in their opening two matches.

Endless passes going sideways or backwards without any obvious purpose. A bizarre refusal to take a shot unless the goal was absolutely gaping. A sense of any early momentum quickly being lost, replaced instead by a crushing sense of inertia as the clock ticked on.

Scotland, for all that they have undoubtedly underachieved in Germany, at least have the excuse that their approach is at least partially reflective of a lack of talent. Che Adams, who started up front in all three of Scotland’s matches, spent last season in the Championship with Southampton. Jack Hendry, who struggled at centre-half, plays in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ettifaq. Grant Hanley, who played alongside him in defence, plays for Norwich, having been jettisoned by Newcastle United seven years ago.

If Scotland were unambitious, it’s at least partially a result of their players not being good enough. England do not have that mitigation. Their players are more than capable of playing exciting, free-flowing football at international level. They just haven’t against either Serbia or Denmark.

So, for all the talk of formations ahead of tomorrow’s final group game, and all the fevered conversations about who should play alongside Declan Rice in midfield and where Phil Foden should be stationed to get the best out of him, the most important shift England can make when they line up against Slovenia is a change in mindset.

Ditch the cautious conservatism. Decide against taking that safe pass infield. Press high up the pitch and prevent Slovenia’s defenders from being able to sit in, in space, on the edge of their own 18-yard box. And then if you get into the final third, take a shot or slide a pass in the penalty area. Who knows, it might even result in a goal.

England’s two successes in the tournament so far have come from just such pieces of dynamism. Against Serbia, Jude Bellingham darted into the box, and when Bukayo Saka’s cross was deflected into his direction, he was able to head home. Against Denmark, Kyle Walker gambled on breaking down the touchline, and when Victor Kristiansen hesitated, he was able to deliver the ball into the box for Harry Kane to slot home. Two positive bursts forward; two goals. And yet it has happened all too infrequently so far for England.

England’s tally of 16 efforts at goal across their two matches is the joint-lowest in the whole of the tournament with Scotland, whose record is even worse given they have played an extra game. Of the teams that have played two matches, though, England have had four fewer shots or headers at goal than anybody else, with Georgia recording the next-lowest tally on 20.

When it comes to efforts on target, England’s tally of seven leaves them comfortably in the bottom half of all 24 teams. By means of comparison, it is half the total recorded by Belgium in their first two matches.

What about the total number of attacking moves, as calculated by the UEFA statisticians? England’s tally of 75 leaves them 19th of the 24 sides competing at the Euros. Only Georgia, Romania, Slovenia, Poland and Albania have constructed fewer attacks.

Get to the number of passes attempted, however, and England’s total of 1,141 is the fourth-highest of all the teams that have played twice. So, in short, England have had loads of the ball, they just haven’t done anything with it.

The eye test of the opening two games bears that out, yet asking England’s players to be more adventurous and creative is hardly demanding something they have been incapable of doing at club level.

It’s hard to think of a more dynamic Premier League attacking-midfielder than Phil Foden, with his constant darts into the box for Manchester City. Or what about Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid, constantly probing in and around the penalty area? Or Bukayo Saka with his 16 Premier League goals and nine top-flight assists for Arsenal last season? And that’s before we even get to Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon, who haven’t had a kick at the Euros yet, but who must surely come into contention for some form of involvement against Slovenia?

England have players who are willing to take risks. They have proved in the past they are capable of playing on the front foot and getting at the opposition. For whatever reason, they’ve just chosen not to do it so far at these Euros. Whoever is selected tomorrow, and whatever formation they’re lining up in, that has to change. Be positive, otherwise at some stage, England will emulate Scotland and go out with a whimper.