Why are we using Lionesses’ Euros success as a stick to beat England’s men?

The Mailbox condemns anyone using the Lionesses to have a pop at Gareth Southgate’s squad. Also: what United can learn from Pep’s early days.

Get your views in to theeditor@football365.com…

Lionesses and Lions
I wrote in at the start of the tournament to say how proud I was of Leah Williamson leading England out in their first game of the Euros.

And on Sunday she will lead England out under the Wembley arches. Arsenal fans are already familiar with the photos of little Leah leading the Arsenal Men’s team out as an Arsenal mascot. Our Leah has really developed into a Rolls-Royce of a player – spraying balls over the place. But it’s hard not to fall in love with this whole England team.

Leah’s fellow gooner Beth Mead terrifying defences because you know, well, she’s on fire. Earps in goal making world class saves. Fran Kirby coming back from injury and playing out of her skin and then there’s Russo.

Sometimes there are players you just love watching and Russo is one of them – that finish was exquisite and through the keeper’s legs as well – just fantastic.

I totally get why Alex Scott was emotional – it’s hard not to be. These lionesses are spreading joy throughout the land and inspiring generations to come – and all led by our Leah – made in Milton Keynes but one of Arsenal’s own and on her way to becoming an Arsenal and England legend.

Can we stop using the Women’s team success as a stick to beat the Men’s team with? Their success is England’s success and I guarantee you won’t find a player in the Men’s squad who won’t be ecstatic about how the Women’s team has performed.

Roll on the final.
Graham Simons, Gooner, Norf London

…I see having gone through “picking players for a system,” “trying to defend against good attacking teams” “losing a friendly” and “having an invented vendetta against Trent” we’ve finally reached the nadir of Gareth Southgate criticism in the latest mailbox.

The Swedish women’s team’s goalkeeper has a mare, ergo Gareth Southgate out.

Absolute nonsense.
Andy in Salford

Johnny Nic: How I wept at Alessio Russo’s backheel and the pure joy that followed for England

…Rob, Gravesend letter, and those like it, was as predictable as it was depressing. Is it utterly impossible to praise women’s football without denigrating the men’s game? When Serena Williams wins a grand slam, no one turns to Andy Murray and Rafal Nadal and says “See? That’s how…