Glenn Hoddle has accused Eric Dier of "laziness" after his error in England's World Cup qualifier in Slovenia nearly gifted the hosts an opening goal.
Dier replaced captain Wayne Rooney in England's team for Tuesday's 0-0 draw in Ljubljana and his under-hit back-pass after 10 minutes left Slovenia's Roman Bezjak one-on-one with goalkeeper Joe Hart, who produced a fine save.
Jasmin Kurtic struck the post in the follow-up, and former Spurs midfielder Hoddle was left unimpressed with Dier, who was starting his first match in nearly a month.
"He's not even looked up, it's laziness from Dier, really poor," Hoddle said, commentating live on ITV.
"On the ball he has to sharpen up a little bit. He has had some time out and looks behind everyone else in terms of his awareness.
"In the centre of that pitch you have to have your eyes everywhere and be on top of your game."
In Rooney's absence, Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson took the captain's armband but former Reds and Tottenham player Jamie Redknapp believes Dier should be given the role long-term.
"I would say Eric Dier," Redknapp told the Daily Mail before the match, when asked for his choice to permanently replace Rooney.
"My only worry is that he is facing a battle with Victor Wanyama for his place at Tottenham. The England captain needs to be in the form of his life for his club.
"Henderson is another option but the burden of captaining both Liverpool and England could be too great. Longer term I'd give it to Dier or [John] Stones."
Dier missed one Premier League match for Tottenham last season but the summer signing of Wanyama has left his starting spot in doubt, particularly after Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino suggested he would play one holding midfielder from now on.