Former Saints and England manager Glenn Hoddle believes it would be a disaster if the Three Lions lost their opening Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland.

Roy Hodgson’s side face the Swiss in Basle on Monday, five days after a Wayne Rooney penalty – in his first game after being named permanent captain – gave England a 1-0 friendly victory over Norway at a half-full Wembley.

England’s midweek performance has given QPR first team coach Hoddle cause for concern. He believes that Switzerland will provide Roy Hodgson’s side with a sterner test and avoiding defeat at St Jakob-Park will represent a good result.

Writing in his column in the Mail on Sunday, he said: “It (the Norway game) wasn’t the convincing win it should have been and that concerns me for Monday, because Switzerland will be a tough game and if we defend sleepily like we did and switch off like we did, then we’re going to get a big surprise. The best teams would have undoubtedly punished us had we switched off like that against them.

“That was part of our problem at the World Cup and, to be honest, we never even got to play the best teams there, because we were knocked out so soon.

“Having said all that, if I were taking a team to Switzerland, with my manager’s head on I would be going there saying: ‘Don’t get beat.’ If we win it, that will be fantastic. If we were to lose, that would put pressure on everyone. But a point would be very good.

“I know there is a feeling that this England side have to start exciting people to win back the nation – the 40,000 crowd on Wednesday was an indication that people are losing faith in England – and that the press want the team to show some excitement to pick people up after the World Cup.

“But as a manager you have to put all that aside. I don’t think you would be doing your job right if you didn’t.

“Because we won’t pick people up if we lose the game. If we lose that game, that will be disaster for the manager, team, press and fans.”

Danny Welbeck is tipped to replace the injured Daniel Sturridge in the England line-up on Monday night and Hoddle believes the 23-year-old forward, who joined Arsenal from Manchester United on transfer deadline day, is a more than capable replacement.

He said: “Danny Welbeck has a great opportunity to start up front for England. It’s a great time in his life following his £16m move to Arsenal, where he will probably start in the centre, and he looked lively when he came on in midweek for England so I imagine he will be tremendously motivated.

“Sometimes when a player is in the position he wants to play in, you get an improved performance. I think he’s a good buy for Arsenal and maybe we will get to see the best of him. But now he has to prove that he is a centre forward with good movement.”

After opening their Group E qualifying campaign, England host San Marino on October 9 before travelling to Estonia for their third match three days later.