Roy Hodgson was right to gamble with his team selection in the goalless draw with Slovakia, according to former England caretaker manager Peter Taylor.
Hodgson made six changes to the side that beat Wales 2-1 in the second Group B match at Euro 2016 in Lens last Thursday, and the decision ultimately backfired as the Three Lions finished as group runners-up.
Captain Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Dele Alli and full-backs Danny Rose and Kyle Walker were all left out of the side as Hodgson rung the changes in Saint-Etienne, but England were unable to break down a resolute Slovakia side.
Wales topped the group after a 3-0 win over Russia but Taylor does not believe Hodgson should be criticised for making drastic alterations to his starting XI.
Speaking on Sky Sports News HQ, Taylor said: "I think people will say that [Hodgson was wrong to make so many changes] and I'm sure it'll be on the phone-ins but I think it would be unfair because to me Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy - everybody wanted them to start.
"Nathaniel Clyne was the best player on the pitch, and the full-backs, Walker and Rose, needed a little bit of a rest so what Roy did - I'm not just protecting him for the sake of it - what he did was the right thing to do.
"It's disappointing because before the games kicked off tonight, we'd have fancied our chances to beat Slovakia and go on and top the group but congratulations to Wales, they're playing in top form and playing in a very confident way.
"To be fair to Slovakia - they blocked and blocked and blocked, we just couldn't get through them, but you couldn't really say that individuals didn't play well. I'm sure Roy's pleased with the performances of the players.
"I think that if Vardy had taken his chance in the 17th minute, if that goes in, we'd have had a lovely evening, but it didn't, so in the end you start getting a bit frustrated and a bit anxious.
"Roy will go over all the games and I've got to say him and his staff must be delighted with how his side has played. They've dominated the games and had good possession. The way that the team are playing, Roy will be delighted.
"I don't think he has a headache for the next game. The way we are playing in open play is OK, but Kane still looks tired to me."
England now face a last-16 clash in Nice on Monday night against the Group F runners-up, which could be any one of Hungary, Iceland, Portugal or Austria, while Wales have earned the right to face one of the four best third-placed sides in the knockout stages in Paris this Saturday.