England's back four are still not good enough, says Alan Smith

“It’s this new role we’ve spoken about so often, at the base of midfield, and it’s a role that he’s not used to at Arsenal. “If you asked him, he probably wouldn’t play there by choice, but it just goes to show if he’s intelligent about it and picks his moments he can get forward and influence things, in areas of the pitch that he would want to. “That’s a great, big, big plus point for Roy Hodgson and you just desperately hope – and I’m sure Jack will be hoping now – that, going into next season, he can have a clear run without injury and cement that place for England.” England currently sit top of Group E after six wins from six qualifying matches. A victory over San Marino on September 5 would take England to 21 points and guarantee them qualification for France.

“Chris Smalling has been a plus point,” Smith said. “He was showing some of the form he did for the Under-21s a few years back when he was stepping into midfield, getting involved, good and confident on the ball. "But it’s the partnerships: left-back is still an unanswered question, Nathaniel Clyne might fill the right-block slot, but it’s the central defensive partnership that is still to be decided as well, so plenty there for Roy Hodgson to think about.” Smith said a fully fit Wilshere could play an integral role for England at the finals in France next summer.

Victory over Slovenia has set England on the path to Euro 2016 but defensive weaknesses are still Roy Hodgson’s biggest concern, according to Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith. The former England striker identified Jack Wilshere as a standout performer in the 3-2 win in Ljubljana but said the make-up of the back four was the central concern. “In Brazil last year we were found wanting at the back, we weren’t quite good enough, and nothing has changed in that regard,” Smith told Sky Sports HQ. “There were a lot of good things, a lot of positive things to talk about going forward but we really need to get that back four sorted out and I’m sure that’s what is at the forefront of Roy Hodgson’s mind at the moment.” Kieran Gibbs, Chris Smalling, Gary Cahill and Phil Jones started across the back for England and were unable to shut down Slovenian goal-scorers Milivoje Novakovic and Nejc Pecnik.