A week ago, France, courtesy of Dimitri Payet’s wonder-strike, beat Romania 2-1. Now, Spain have routed Turkey 3-0. Hopefully, Spain’s display is a sign of things to come, as the last-gasp nature of Payet’s goal was to be for week one of Euro 16. In this, for once at a major tournament (how many minor tournaments are there?), England, after beating Wales with a 92nd minute winner, are not behind the trend. France again left it late against Albania, as did Spain against Czech Republic and Italy against Sweden. Portugal drew with heroic Iceland, and Germany – eyeing England’s embarrassment of striking riches – drew a blank against Poland. Before the Spanish masterclass against Turkey, Italy’s comprehensive 2-0 defeat of Belgium had been the standout performance, with a hat tip to Croatia’s win against Turkey. On the evidence so far, no other team should hold too much fear for England.

What to make of England? There seems to be a consensus forming that Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling should be jettisoned for Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy, the goalscoring saviours against Wales. When you consider Sturridge also assisted Vardy’s goal, it feels strange to be questioning this logic, but I’m not convinced it is as simple as that.

Vardy scored with his third touch. I can’t remember too many more in the remaining half an hour. To be fair, Sturridge had enough touches for the two of them, dropping deep in search of the ball … keeping the ball … shooting over the bar. Harsh, I know, and it came as a stark reminder as to how anonymous Kane had been in the first half, but perhaps it showed why there might be reservations about playing Sturridge up front on his own in a 4-2-3-1.

I didn’t complain when the same starting XI was named. Kane is the most natural fit in the squad as the 1 in a 4-2-3-1, and one duff game shouldn’t wipe away all that credit. Confusingly, England also have a real lack of depth in width. Even with all the attacking options to hand, Hodgson is sorely missing Danny Welbeck. Sterling, brilliant at times at the last World Cup, don’t forget, is a more natural fit out wide than Vardy. And there was always the threat of Wales – Bales – on the break. England were unlucky not to beat Russia. That they didn’t win comfortably might be down to Hodgson’s conservative substitutions, so it was good to see he wasn’t afraid to change things early – and positively – although what else he was supposed to do remains a mystery. England also played at a much better tempo in the second half, presumably on the manager’s bequest. That England left it so late shouldn’t matter. It was always going to be a singular game, all about the result. In the context of recent efforts, England are well placed. Hopefully not too many parked buses in the way.

In all the rightful praise that is going Roy Hodgson’s way, it shouldn’t be forgotten that the introduction of Sturridge and Vardy came, arguably, an hour too late into the tournament. England, 1-0 up against Russia, had played well, but it was clear that Kane and Sterling lacked sharpness and confidence, respectively. It made tactical sense, too – and not just in meaning that someone else could take corners. It was the ideal time to introduce the pace of Vardy. The new Darius Vassell.

Following the England games this tournament has so far been an odd experience. My pal Fraser’s wedding reception stuck to a media blackout for the Russia game, and a bunch of us watched it later into a slightly debauched night at my pal Joe’s. For the Wales game I was listening on the radio at work, watching the rain. I had precisely six customers during the game. As the old saying goes: When a man celebrates a goal in an empty shop on a deserted street, does it make a sound? Still, better than when Beckham had scored that free kick against Greece in 2001. I’d taken my TV to work, and, looking round for someone to celebrate with – to confirm that it was real – I was met by some old boy asking me who was playing. Unbelievable.

Watching the game later, knowing how it turned out, I was struck by just how limited Wales were, how unambitious. But, for all England’s dominance, Sterling’s miss was the only really clear cut chance. We will never know if Hodgson would have made the subs he did at half-time had it been 0-0 at the break, but Joe Hart’s error – letting a Welsh player jump up and down in his eyeline, obscuring his view of Bale’s free-kick – certainly forced his hand.

To the next hand, and how will England line up? If it’s Sturridge and Vardy in for Kane and Sterling, as is being presumed, in what formation? Vardy on the left? Two up front and a midfield diamond? A diamond with corners made of Dier, Rooney, Alli, and … erm? Wilshere? Lallana? Henderson? Not convinced, personally. Lacks pace and width, and it’s the same formation that stunk the place out against Portugal. Wilshere is a great player, but not in a four.  Lacking in match fitness, he’s never going to displace Rooney or Dier in the current line-up.

There is a more radical option. A way of playing two up front and not losing any width or getting rinsed in midfield. It involves going to three at the back. You know, like in Italia 90 and at times in Euro 96 and France 98.  Like Italy play. Like they played against Belgium. Kyle Walker and Danny Rose as wing backs. Get my man John Stones in a back three. A way of getting Michael Owen into the team can be a way of getting Vardy in the team. But it won’t happen. Maybe it should for the next qualification process, but not now.

So – Vardy on the left. Or maybe Rashford. Sounds odd, given his age and lack of experience in any position, but he might be a better fit. As impact subs go, Vardy could be pretty useful. As could England, really.

Only France and Spain have a better record of the teams to have played two group games. Spain, as well as being Spain, have, in Alvaro Morata, found a striker. France have Olivier Giroud. England have five strikers, if you count Rooney, which we should no longer. He has been great in midfield. It will be interseting to see if he can maintain those standards against better – or at least more ambitious – opposition. To a significant degree, it depends how Roy uses his “suitcase full of riches” – as Chris Coleman put it.

For what it’s worth, this is how I’d set England up for Slovakia and, if not to infinity!, beyond:

Hart

Walker – Smalling – Cahill – Rose

Dier – Rooney

Lallana – Allí – Rashford

Sturridge

Although I wouldn’t object to wheeling out this team:

Hart

Smalling – Stones – Bertrand

Rose – Dier – Rooney – Walker

Alli

Vardy – Sturridge