Wednesday 22 June 2016 12:39, UK
Ray Wilkins has said he believes Roy Hodgson’s decision to rest six players during England’s final group clash against Slovakia on Monday was a mistake.
The England manager decided to give Jamie Vardy, Daniel Sturridge, Jack Wilshere, Jordan Henderson, Ryan Bertrand and Nathaniel Clyne a start, resting captain Wayne Rooney and striker Harry Kane.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ former England midfielder Wilkins hit out at Hodgson's changes after the goalless draw left them runners up of Group B, behind Wales.
He said: "I'm a firm believer when you play in tournaments, whether it be Champions League, whether it be Europa cups, you have to finish top of your group to give yourself an easier way through.
"It's backfired, there's no two ways about that. Now we have to put something right. We will be playing one of the big boys very soon and if we're not quite up to it, we'll be coming home."
Kane, who started in England's previous two games against Russia and Wales, was accused of looking 'jaded' in the national press, something former QPR manager Wilkins said he could not comprehend.
"I can't quite understand this resting players situation. They are playing every four days," he said.
"When the season finished on May 15, they had two weeks off, then they came back into training. They can't be fatigued."
Wilkins added that Rooney should definitely have been given a start, instead he was replaced by Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere.
"I'd have been fuming if I'd been Wayne Rooney. Fuming that he'd left me out," he said.
"Wayne Rooney has dictated two games for us and we've looked half decent in both those games and he took him out. We didn't look confident, we didn't look comfortable."
The England legend also praised the energy of the Welsh side in their 3-0 victory over Russia.
"Wales fatigued? They just cannot wait to get at the next opposition", he said. "When you are winning and that adrenaline's flowing, never change anything, just go for it."
