Alan Shearer wants Gareth Southgate to hand two England players their first starts at Euro 2024 in the last-16 on Sunday.
England secured top spot in Group C on Tuesday night, but delivered another underwhelming performance as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Slovenia.
This followed on from a narrow 1-0 win against Serbia and a dire 1-1 draw with Denmark as Southgate's men failed to click in attack.
Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer came off the bench for the first time on Tuesday and both made positive impacts, and Shearer believes they both deserve a starting berth this weekend.
'I've said before a ball was kicked, I'd have played Gordon on the left-hand side,' Shearer told the BBC on Wednesday.
'For me, he has to now start. Palmer has to start on the right-hand side, and maybe time to rest Saka. He played really well for thirty-odd minutes in the first game but has done very little since.'
Shearer also believes Southgate has a problem to solve in midfield after Conor Gallagher was hauled off at half time in Cologne.
His replacement, Kobbie Mainoo, delivered an assured display in the second half, and Shearer feels he should be in contention to start in the knockout stages.
This could be a tight call for Southgate, but Shearer is adamant that the England boss must change something to start getting a tune out of his team.
'I would have either Bellingham or Mainoo in that midfield, and then have Foden in the 10 role,' Shearer continued.
'But he has to make changes because what he's been doing hasn't worked.'
BBC presenter Gary Lineker agreed with Shearer's statement, just hours after being accused by his colleague of being afraid of backlash after he praised England's performance against Slovenia.
Lineker caused a stir last week when he labelled England's showing against Denmark 's***', with Harry Kane hitting back as he called for ex-players to be more responsible with their choice of words.
But this time Lineker was more positive, as he said on The Rest is Football podcast: 'I think there were signs in that performance that I quite liked. In the second half, I thought you could see that if this team continue to play a high press, chances will come.
'We may have been playing that way because Slovenia knew that a draw would get them through, so they were cautious and sat back a bit, I understand that.
'But I saw enough to suggest that England are improving slightly. I think there were downsides, but I think there were real positives.'
Shearer was having none of it as he teased Lineker by replying: 'If I was a cynic, one would say one was frightened of getting criticised again.'
Lineker denied this was the case, and conceded England still have a number of issues to fix if they are to go all the way in Germany.
REDALIEN
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nonbclrst
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kocha apewe uhuru tuache kumkosoa ovyo .
zutbklnsuy
1
England eleven Pickford, Walker, Stones, Guehi, Tripper, Mainoo, Rice,Palmer, Foden, Gordon, Kane. Subs Bellingham, Shaw, Watkins, Saka & Tooney.( Foden, Tripper,Gordon,Palmer & Kane)
GoatLingard
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greatest striker in epl. 3rd all time top scorer for england in less appearances than most. he won more than your entire family for generations
Nope he was just an average one like rooney
msiwela07
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you started with ignorance just to show your bias so enough said
as you have said I'm stupid and bised just move on it's ok
nabaopy
1
ok cool you win
you started with ignorance just to show your bias so enough said
nabaopy
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Manchester United hater detected..🙄
manchester deluded bias lover detected
Neitsizozumvu
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what did shearer win for England.
one of Man u legend
mezbdeksu
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English solidarity
msiwela07
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the only stupid and ignorant is you and your deluded bias but what to expect from a stupid person like you
ok cool you win
nabaopy
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I'm pretty sure you didn't watch the match. but then if you watched the last match it shows the levels you have gone with your ignorance and hatred of Manchester United
the only stupid and ignorant is you and your deluded bias but what to expect from a stupid person like you
nuycdlrty
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what did shearer win for England.
greatest striker in epl. 3rd all time top scorer for england in less appearances than most. he won more than your entire family for generations
wapbciopu
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what did shearer win for England.
Zondmnruz
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what I don't understand about those so called former England players, now pundits is their hatred for certain players. How on Earth an entire team underperforms and a single player be in the spotlight. What is that? Saka receives less ball and he does so in an unusual infield position. Boredom sets in seeing England playing all the ball between defenders and the midfielders, and no ball reaching the forwards. Phil Foden roams the field, never sticking to his wing, yet nobody sees it. Jude Bellingham holds the ball not looking to make a clear visionary pass to the winger and the strikers. Nobody says he should be rested. It's the first time I have seen Guehi holding more of the ball, as though he's a midfielder. Gareth Southgate sits and sees the midfield wane down but chooses to substitute the wingers who have received less of the ball brought down. Same reason Ben White left this racist team.
temadilt
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they talk too much...their team is just weak
ChelseaGreatest
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England problem is very is easy to solve just that Southgate is acting weird push Bellingham back to deep midfield play Foden as number 10 and play Gordon on the left wing start Saka on the right wing later in the game you can bring palmer for a fresh idea.
Laacenuy
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all of this bunch of pundits should give that coach a break or they should apply for a coaching roll lets see if they can do better then him
no they can't bcuz is part of advise as a once player, bcuz this coach is confused about all the star in the team. Saka should rest for parma, mainoo should play along with decline Rice and foden wing should be swapped for Gordon.
BLKBtl
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Clearly the coach should try different players, we've seen it didn't work out in the last three games
captainFrank99
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all of this bunch of pundits should give that coach a break or they should apply for a coaching roll lets see if they can do better then him
Rinkachi2221
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mainoo with an assured display? Why because he's a man united player? Give me a break 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Manchester United hater detected..🙄
vuaabdipu
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Kobbie and Cole deserve a start
boweklosuy
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This team and their coach puzzles like Utd did the whole season, a seemingly stubborn and clueless coach who baffles with his selection every game. Also in its toothlessness.
msiwela07
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mainoo with an assured display? Why because he's a man united player? Give me a break 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I'm pretty sure you didn't watch the match. but then if you watched the last match it shows the levels you have gone with your ignorance and hatred of Manchester United
juuadekprz
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mainoo with an assured display? Why because he's a man united player? Give me a break 🤣🤣🤣🤣
what about Gordon and palmer
cotbcnosz
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It’s very easy, rest Kane, Saka and foden. If England is not leading, bring in those rested players and England wins. England has been easily predictable
exactly he should start Ivan tony Watkins and Palmer...those 3 are hot forward
nabaopy
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mainoo with an assured display? Why because he's a man united player? Give me a break 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Luncmnorst
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It’s very easy, rest Kane, Saka and foden. If England is not leading, bring in those rested players and England wins. England has been easily predictable