Peter Shilton insists that England should stick with their best players, regardless of form, especially Wayne Rooney.
The Manchester United star has faced fierce criticism after his lacklustre display against Italy on Saturday night but England’s most capped international player believes dropping him would not be the answer.
“Even if a player makes a mistake you can’t leave them out. England should be careful when deciding to panic and drop players. What happened to Rob Green at the World Cup was unforgivable. Yes he made an error but he really should have been given another chance. That killed his confidence.”
Rooney has been on a barren form of late but his 39 international goals and an impressive season for the Red Devils still offers reason for hope.
Raheem Sterling was England’s stand out performer against the Azzuri but Shilton believes that Rooney can still deliver when it really counts.
He added: “The England players must be positive, be confident, and be single minded. Playing up front is the hardest position on the pitch. Wayne Rooney knows this. My old World Cup roommate Gary Lineker knew exactly what he was doing in front of goal. He can’t let the pressure get to him.”
England were lauded for unleashing the Young Lions on Saturday and Shilton maintains that Three Lions must go for the exact same tactic against Uruguay.
He concluded: “We have some very young talented players. You can win World Cup’s by shoring things up at the back, but if you attack, like Roy Hodgson intends to, then you have to fully commit. England have the ability now they have to show what they are made of.”
England’s most capped player Peter Shilton was speaking at Betfair’s Perfect Penalty Masterclass, teaching football bloggers how to take the perfect penalty ahead of the World Cup in Brazil.