Raheem’s return? Our writers pick their line-ups for England v Lithuania
What do you make of these three selections? Let us know on social or in the comments section below…
The three-man defence England played against Germany felt less like an experiment and more like the system they should play.
It’s a shame, then, that the absences of Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling will probably convince Gareth Southgate to revert to four.
Two holding midfielders aren’t needed against a side that will be happy to cede possession, so Eric Dier can sit while Adam Lallana and Dele Alli probe from central positions.
Out wide, Raheem Sterling is in decent nick and deserves his place, although it would be nice if he enjoyed his first decent England game in a while.
On the opposite side, I’d go for Jesse Lingard, who was excellent against Middlesbrough last weekend and was enterprising for 20 minutes in Dortmund.
Lingard has an impressive temperament and also links up tidily with Marcus Rashford, who has the intelligence to create space in a crowded penalty area.
Three at the back might be the way forward for England, but I feel it's worth sacrificing a central defender to get the best players into attacking areas.
Raheem Sterling has been playing well for Manchester City, and deserves his place alongside Dele Alli and Adam Lallana in an exciting midfield trio.
Marcus Rashford has a bit more guile than Jamie Vardy, so he gets the nod against a defence that will sit back and limit space in behind.
And Lithuania's lack of attacking threat means this is an ideal opportunity to give Michael Keane some more experience.
Keane and John Stones should be the Three Lions' defensive pairing of the future.
I’m reluctant to fiddle too much here. Three at the back worked in Germany and is certainly worth persevering with, so I’ve made just four changes.
Jamie Vardy was perfect for the game against Germany, but the more clinical Marcus Rashford should play against a deeper defence here.
Raheem Sterling is unlucky, but so impressive were Dele Alli and Adam Lallana in the week that I’m reluctant to break up the attacking midfield duo.
Jake Livermore, meanwhile, was tidy on Wednesday, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaces him in my midfield after a decent run there for Arsenal of late.
At the back, John Stones steps in for the suspended Gary Cahill, as per Gareth Southgate’s plan, and Ben Gibson debuts in place of Chris Smalling..
What do you think of our writers' selections? Let us know on Facebook or in the comments section below...
