Although England fans are normally pessimistic around World Cup season, the Three Lions gave their nation a reason to have hope after a fine performance and victory away to Holland on Friday night.Gareth Southgate's men won 1-0 thanks to a 20-yard Jesse Lingard effort in the second-half and operated with a version of the 3-5-2 system that saw Raheem Sterling deployed behind Marcus Rashford.England looked composed on the ball all night and refused to go long when they had the ball at the back.Having Jordan Pickford in goal with his excellent distribution helped, but Jordan Henderson had the important job of protecting the back three and helping the ball on into midfield.The Liverpool skipper played a largely non-descript role, though, often returning passes from whence they came and opting to push the ball sideways rather than penetrate.However, that's not how his boss saw his performance. Not at all.“He worked the game out very well [against Netherlands], spotted the tactical changes the Dutch made in switching their system three times, speaking to others and telling them where to press.”“Obviously he’s one of the few guys who captains his club. Or has captained his club. He’s comfortable in that role and speaks up for the group. He has a mindset for the collective, not the self - a hugely important attribute for a captain to have.”Safe to say, while Southgate praised Henderson for his performance - though he didn't mention what he was like on the ball - the vast majority of England's fans on Twitter did not agree.Still, another man who backed Henderson's performance was former Arsenal full-back Lee Dixon while doing punditry for ITV.

Raving

“They’ve looked confident in the back three and I think Henderson’s been the link-up with all of that.

“He’s been linking up at the back but this is what I liked about him.

Unpopular Opinion

“He gets in space, normally it would just go out to the full-back, but he’s actually turned, he’s in space, and he’s playing that positive forward pass."

Was he playing a lot of forward passes though? The 'experts' seem to think so even if the fans don't.

However, it's hard not to think Jack Wilshere, Harry Winks and Nathaniel Chalobah - when all fit - wouldn't be more progressive options in that role.

But, maybe Henderson's industry and leadership give him the advantage. What do you think - should Henderson start in Russia and furthermore, captain the side?