England’s troubles are largely caused by the bench as this is where their best players spend the most part of the game, in the eyes of ex-playmaker Alan Hudson.
Former Chelsea and England midfielder Hudson was referring to England’s not-so-shock exit from the Brazil World Cup when he likened the tournament to going to war.
He said it is pointless sending a weak army onto a battlefield, then accepting defeat having chosen not to use enough firepower.
Hudson told Football Express News: “It’s about time somebody sat down and spoke to the country. Going to the World Cup is like going to war.
“It’s no good making excuses after they (England) got beaten and knocked out, because they got beaten by better teams, and saying ‘we gave it our best shot.’
“The answer is, England should just field their best team to start with.”
Hudson views Everton’s Ross Barkley and Southampton’s Adam Lallana as two of England’s most skilful in-form players, saying it defies logic when the two midfielders are left on the bench for the most part of the game.
“I don’t understand why Barkley and Lallana get left on the line,” he said, “put them out there, rather than (Jordan) Henderson and (Steven) Gerrard.”
The former playmaker said the England manager should not select players based on how their Premier League club has performed rather than focussing on their personal form. He believes players from lesser sides should not be overlooked just because their club’s standing in the league table is not as prominent as others.
He explained: “Just because Henderson and Gerrard play for Liverpool and Liverpool have had a great season and finished second in the league, it doesn’t mean they are the best players for England.”
“Lallana’s had an outstanding season at Southampton, and young Barkley looks like he could set the world on fire, but because they’re not in the top one or two teams, they get overlooked.”
Hudson, who is a huge fan of Saints captain Lallana, is of the view the 25-year-old should be a key player for England but has not been given his chance this World Cup.
Over the two fixtures England have played in the early group stage, Lallana has been brought on late in the game – in the 80th minute against Italy and the 71st minute against Uruguay.
“I can’t believe that Roy (Hodgson) leaves it so long, Lallana comes on late and straight away a flash of brilliance. He’s the sort of player who can cause havoc in any defence in the world.
“Surely Roy can’t continue to leave his best players on the bench until the end of the second half.”