England's build-up to to the Euros has left manager Roy Hodgson with more questions than answers.
With just days to go until the Three Lions first game against Russia, the pressure is on Hodgson to solve the conundrums plaguing his pre-tournament preparation.
Former England boss Glenn Hoddle and two of Sportmail's top writers, Oliver Holt and Rob Draper, try to give the England boss a few clues.
Roy Hodgson still has to nail down his starting XI with the opening game against Russia only days away
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SHOULD WAYNE ROONEY PLAY, AND IF SO, WHERE?
Glen Hoddle: Wayne Rooney’s best position is coming from deep and I would start him behind Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane in a diamond formation, but not the way they played it against Portugal. You need Rooney behind those two, not as far forward as he was on Thursday, so that he can break from deep and link up with their movement.
Oliver Holt: Of course he should play. And of course he should start. The idea that we are such a good side that a player of his quality is suddenly surplus to requirements is flawed. However, the time when the team should be built around him has passed. He should start on the left of a three-man line behind Harry Kane.
Rob Draper: Yes, but not as the centre-forward. Either as a No10, behind a more advanced striker, or in midfield as he did so well in the FA Cup final. I suspect the team will evolve this way in the tournament, so that Dele Alli or Adam Lallana end up as No10 and Rooney plays in midfield. But he is still one of England’s best technical players and the top goal-scorer.
Will Hodgson be prepared to make it the Wayne Rooney show in France or will the captain lose his place?
CAN BOTH HARRY KANE AND JAMIE VARDY WORK IN THE SAME TEAM?
Hoddle: Yes, but they need to be much closer together than they were on Thursday, so they can work off each other. You need Vardy running in behind and Kane’s more subtle movement to work as a combination. On Thursday they spent too much time out wide to be able to link up.
Holt: Yes, but not the way they were used against Portugal when Hodgson seemed to deploy them as auxiliary defenders. They need to play closer together to have a chance of being effective but even then it might compromise other areas. Vardy should be used as an impact substitute.
Draper: Yes, but not as the centre-forward. Either as a No10, behind a more advanced striker, or in midfield. I suspect the team will evolve this way in the tournament, so Dele Alli or Adam Lallana end up as No10 and Rooney plays in midfield. He is still one of England’s best technical players.
Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy have shown flashes on their potential as partnership but need to offer more
CAN YOU TRUST JOHN STONES TO START AT THE BACK?
Hoddle: Stones was excellent against Australia and showed much more maturity. He didn’t put the ball at risk, was prepared to put his foot through it and still did three or four things that were outstanding and different. That said, against Russia I would start with Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill, but I feel we’re getting closer to the point when either two out of three works.
Holt: I really, really want to say ‘yes’ but I wonder if this tournament is one year too soon.
He has had an indifferent season at Everton and even though Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling don’t inspire great confidence, they represent less risk.
Whoever starts, the shield in front of them is crucial.
Draper: As much as you can Chris Smalling and Gary Cahill. It’s no great secret that England’s Achilles’ heel is their defence. I would start with Cahill and Smalling but Stones played well against Australia and has thrived in training.
Maybe being away from the difficult end-of-season atmosphere of Goodison Park can revive his form.
Glenn Hoddle thought John Stones was excellent against Australia but wouldn't start him against Russia
SO WHAT SHOULD ENGLAND'S FORMATION AND STARTING XI BE?
Hoddle: (4-1-2-1-2) Hart; Clyne, Cahill, Smalling, Bertrand; Dier; Alli, Milner; Rooney; Kane, Vardy.
Holt: (4-2-3-1) Hart; Walker, Cahill, Smalling, Rose; Wilshere, Dier; Rooney, Alli, Sterling; Kane.
Draper: (4-3-2-1) Hart; Walker, Cahill, Smalling, Bertrand; Wilshere, Dier, Alli; Rooney, Sterling; Kane.
Nathanial Clyne or Kyle Walker? James Milner or Jack Wilshere? Who makes the Sportsmail experts' XIs?
WHAT'S YOUR PREDICTION FOR ENGLAND?
Hoddle: Quarter-finals.
Holt: Semi-finals.
Draper: Quarter-finals.
ITV pundit Hoddle is predicting England will make it to the last eight at Euro 2016, Oliver Holt disagrees
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