There's less than 100 days to go - 99 to be exact - until the World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand, with the Lionesses hopeful of adding to their impressive trophy haul so far under Sarina Wiegman.
Winning has become part of England 's DNA over the last 18 months under the current manager, but their last two matches against Brazil and Australia have potentially presented more questions than answers. The below-par performance on Tuesday night against the Matildas - which saw the Lionesses' 30-game unbeaten run forced to a grinding halt - is by no means a cause for panic.
However, there were glaring concerns brought to the fore as Sam Kerr and Charlotte Grant found the back of the net without any tangible response from England. Leah Williamson said it herself post-match - they were lacking ideas, and Australia had a plan but there was no solution for the Lionesses.
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This brings it back to the conversation everyone will be having over the course of the next month before the squad is announced - who makes it onto the plane? Wiegman's selections in 2023 for the Arnold Clark Cup and April internationals have already offered some insight into where her head is at.
25 players were called up this month, but only 23 will make the final cut. Of course, the injury status of some big names over the final few weeks of the domestic campaign will have some bearing, but it still feels like there's a major question mark over England's attack.
Alessia Russo is occupying a different role in the squad to the one she fulfilled less than a year ago at the Euros. Along with Ella Toone, the Manchester United duo were the perfect impact substitutions and their ability to change a game was a huge factor in England's success.
Following the retirement of Ellen White, Russo has become the focal point for the Lionesses and now it seems they're lacking that same level of influence from the bench. Rachel Daly is, of course, without a doubt one of the best strikers in the Women's Super League this season, but her greatest performances up front for England have come when she's started, rather than appeared off the bench.
It's a headache Wiegman has had to navigate ever since she took charge. England have a wealth of attacking talent at their disposal and it's a key reason Tottenham striker Bethany England has seen her chances limited. Despite completing a move from Chelsea to Spurs in January to rack up more game time, she's so far been unable to force her way back into the fold.
But, there's no denying she still has a strong case to make the squad, despite the fact she's missed out on the last four and hasn't been involved since September last year. Ebony Salmon's inclusion in a handful of camps since the Euros may suggest she's ahead in the pecking order, but England has held the 'super sub' status before for both club and country.
It was a label the 28-year-old was desperate to shake off at the beginning of Wiegman's tenure. At the start of the 21/22 season, she scored the majority of her goals for England and Chelsea off the bench. England is up there with the likes of Vivianne Miedema, Beth Mead and Ellen White as one of the top WSL goalscorers of all time and she's only regained that form since completing the switch across London to Tottenham.
She's scored five league goals for Spurs since January, despite coming into a team struggling to stay afloat in the top-flight. Her strike in the 1-0 win over Leicester City last month only highlights her composure and ability to step up in the big moments. If Tottenham are to maintain their WSL status this season, her arrival and impact will have played a huge part.
Vicky Jepson, currently in charge of Tottenham as interim head coach, has already outlined exactly why England should be in Wiegman's plans this summer. “Beth will never stop wanting to get into that squad," she said.
"She is hungry and she is hungry every day when she comes into our training ground. Yeah, she will be respectful of the decision but she will work tirelessly hard to put herself in a good position.
"It is obviously disappointing to see her left out of the squad but I do know Sarina has a difficult task with the amount of forwards she has to choose from. I do know you don’t become the second highest WSL goalscorer by luck, you get it because you earn it for being a clinical finisher.
“If I have to reflect on the goal she scored against Leicester, we were under a significant amount of pressure because that was a six-pointer and it could be the difference between us staying up or going down and the way she took that single-handily, to score that outstanding goal, shows she can score in pressure moments when the stakes are high in any team.
“So, would I want to see her to go to the World Cup to represent our Lionesses to score in big moments like that? Absolutely and I believe she can. But I am respectful and understand Sarina has a job to do and a lot of forwards to pick from but for me, I would not be leaving Bethany out of the England squad going into that World Cup.”
It's unlikely there will be any drastic changes to Wiegman's plans so close to a major tournament, but there is a strong argument the Lionesses need to find a 'Plan B' where their initial approach falls short. The lack of ideas against Australia and failure to change a game when behind will serve as a warning for England.
The answer may already in the squad that took part in the last camp, but it would be foolish to write Beth England off at this point. A player of her calibre and experience would only benefit the Lionesses and she could be the fresh face they need.
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