IT was great to see my Southampton team-mates Adam Lallana and Luke Shaw get a start for England in the final group game with Costa Rica.

They are both really top quality players and it is no surprise to see them in a World Cup.

I thought Adam got in behind the defence a few times and looked bright and Luke was really solid. He didn’t do anything wrong defensively and he was able to get forward as well.

He is still young and people probably forget that a little bit. He is a top player though. I have seen him in training and he is a brilliant player and will be around in an England shirt for a long time.

It would be nice to see them both back in a Southampton shirt as well next season. I don’t know what will happen there and I am sure they will both take a little break after the World Cup but hopefully I will see them back for pre-season. It would be good to keep the same squad for Southampton as last season and try and get plenty of players in the England squad as well, myself included.

Hopefully the experience the young players have had will give them confidence for the European Championships in 2016 and I am sure it will have helped them to be in Brazil.

I don’t know if Steven Gerrard or Frank Lampard will be there but they are two legends of the game.

I think you need to make sure you keep some experienced players in and around the England squad because they help so much with the young lads and when you first come through.

When I was first called into the England squad they gave me plenty of help and advice and it helps you settle in.

They are two really great players and, while it was great that we took a young squad, I think you always need that mix of experience and hopefully they will carry on.

The Costa Rica game was a similar story to the last two really. We had the chances but we just didn’t take them.

I thought England were in control and Costa Rica didn’t really have too many chances while we created quite a few.

Daniel Sturridge was unlucky and on another day he could have scored a couple. He did everything right but just wasn’t able to find the finish. That happens sometimes as a striker.

England have been unlucky in this tournament. I think sides can go through these little stages where the ball just doesn’t fall for you and that is football really. It is just a shame it has happened at a World Cup.

Again though I do think there were positives to take out of it.

The players that came in did really well and there are good signs for the future.