Roy Hodgson made too many changes, says Nick Collins

By Nick Collins, SSNHQ chief football reporter

Image: Roy Hodgson 'made too many changes,' argues Nick Collins

Hindsight suggests Roy Hodgson made too many changes, writes Sky Sports News HQ chief football reporter Nick Collins.

Resting players and refreshing the team was all very well, but the bottom line was that the only way England guaranteed first place in Group B was by winning - and the new-look team could not manage it.

The biggest worry as England head into the knock-out stages is that they are unable to convert domination into goals - regardless of who is in the starting line-up.

Image: Should Wayne Rooney have started the game instead of coming on as a sub?

Facing a second-placed team, instead of one which finished third, could still have real implications - especially if Portugal do finish runners-up in Group F.

On the plus side, England will have a couple of extra days to prepare for their last-16 encounter in Nice. The seven-day gap between the games does rather make England's decision to rest players a bit unnecessary.

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Of the six changes, three probably worked and three did not. Jamie Vardy did enough to deserve to start next time, while Daniel Sturridge struggled to make an impact.

Image: Jamie Vardy deserves to start in Nice, says Nick Collins

In midfield, Jordan Henderson was relentless in driving England forward, but Jack Wilshere faded after a promising first 15 minutes.

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It was a mixed night for the full-backs. Nathaniel Clyne was a really potent threat down the right and was England's man-of-the-match. At left-back, Ryan Bertrand was steady, but Danny Rose offered more in the first two games.

So what changes will Roy contemplate? It will of course depend on the opposition, but it is fair to assume captain Wayne Rooney will return in midfield. If he needed a break, surely it would have been better to start and play the first hour to provide England with a platform, rather than come on for the last half-an-hour to rescue the game?

Image: Ryan Bertrand was 'steady', but Nick Collins believes Danny Rose should be restored in Nice

Jordan Henderson and Eric Dier could complete England's midfield. Dele Alli almost scored just after coming on, but his best position looks to be No 10, and he isn't being given the opportunity to play there.

Kyle Walker and Rose could come back in - maybe England will line-up something like this:

1. Hart

2. Walker

3. Smalling

4. Cahill

5. Rose

6. Henderson

7. Dier

8. Rooney

9. Lallana

10. Vardy

11. Kane

One last thought - if Hodgson opted for a 4-4-2 diamond, how about Alli at the tip in place of Lallana? Though either player could fill that role.

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