England manager Roy Hodgson has some huge decisions to make as the Three Lions prepare for Thursday's must-win game against Wales, where anything other than three points would surely leave their Euro 2016 hopes hanging by a thread.
England were "?held to a draw by Russia in their opening game after a sloppy goal from a stoppage time set piece completely wiped out 90 minutes of good work up to that point. But everything that happened before then is reason enough for the side to remain unchanged.
If I'm Roy Hodgson, this is the #ENG XI that I pick to face #WAL tomorrow. Unchanged. #FanVoice pic.twitter.com/ZbEw4R80qz
While Adam Lallana, Wayne Rooney, Dele Alli, Eric Dier all played very well, both Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane came in for a lot of criticism after mixed displays.
Many fans want either or both dropped in favour of Jamie Vardy or Daniel Sturridge, but it would be a mistake to rip it up when the system actually worked. Only a number of saves from Igor Akinfeev, including one top class parry to deny Rooney, as well as a pulled Lallana shot prevented England from being two or three goals ahead.
What supporters are right to question is Hodgson's second half substitutions, declining to add Vardy and his pace to the mix against tiring defenders, taking off a Rooney who was controlling the game, and putting on James Milner to try and sit on the lead.
As long as Vardy does actually appears at some point against Wales to stretch the game, there is absolutely no reason why Hodgson shouldn't pick the exact same starting XI that began against Russia on Saturday.
Sterling might have lacked end product, but he got in very good positions time after time and is the only wide player in the squad. Putting others on that left flank would be akin to shoving square pegs in round holes.
The back four, after sloppy displays in the warm-up friendlies and the aforementioned late goal sloppily conceded against Russia, is the only problem. But there's no way to improve it.
The England XI That Needs to Start Against Wales:
Joe Hart; Kyle Walker, Chris Smalling, Gary Cahill, Danny Rose; Eric Dier; Adam Lallana, Wayne Rooney (c), Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling; Harry Kane
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