Wayne Rooney should play as an out-and-out striker for England and not as a midfielder, according to Paul Lambert and Steve Sidwell.
The England captain was booed during England's 2-0 win over Malta on Saturday after being picked in central midfield by interim boss Gareth Southgate, who preferred Daniel Sturridge up front with Dele Alli 'in the hole' behind him.
Rooney's place in the starting XI is now being seriously questioned ahead of Tuesday's World Cup qualifier in Slovenia.
Lambert, the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder and Aston Villa boss, says Southgate should stick with the Manchester United stalwart.
"It's a build-up of pressure," he told Sky Sports News HQ's 'Morning View'. "The easier decision is to go with the same team which beat Malta.
"I think there's a clamour about Wayne Rooney at the Euros - it wasn't all Rooney's fault at the Euros. I think it's really harsh what's happening to him at the moment.
"He's a brilliant footballer. Being captain of England is a great honour for him. He doesn't moan about where he's playing. I still think he's a better striker than midfielder.
"If he was in Germany he would be put up there on a pedestal. And here we vilify him."
Brighton midfielder Sidwell believes Rooney should replace Sturridge and lead the line.
"This is the first time in his career when his position is being scrutinised," he said. "He is more of a natural No 10, competing against the likes of Sturridge and Jamie Vardy. With Wayne, the standards he has set have been phenomenal. He's been performing just below that - but he wasn't that bad against Malta.
"His best position is further up the pitch. I would play him instead of Sturridge, give him free rein, take the shackles off and let him be the spearhead.
"He can play in a three behind a striker, of course he can. Everyone's jumping on his back. Let's just get behind him. People booing him…it's not good for him or the team.
"This squad is a young squad and after the summer they are frail and a bit low on confidence. They need someone like Wayne Rooney in the dressing room and on the pitch to get them going."