So here we are, the business end of the group stage, and Gareth Southgate has decided to throw a curveball. Five changes from that cagey goalless draw...
So here we are, the business end of the group stage, and Gareth Southgate has decided to throw a curveball. Five changes from that cagey goalless draw with Ghana. Let's be honest, that performance was about as inspiring as a wet Wednesday in Stoke. But this This is interesting.Reece James is hamstrung, which is a shame, but Jarell Quansah stepping in at right back is the kind of bold selection we've been crying out for. Quansah has composure on the ball and a bit of raw pace. You'd fancy him to handle the quick transitional play Panama will try to spring. And look at that midfield. Declan Rice is rested, saving his back for the knockout rounds presumably, and Morgan Rogers gets the nod. That's a statement. Rogers is attack minded, he wants to get on the half turn and drive at the defence. It screams of a manager telling his team to go and dominate the ball high up the pitch.Up top, Rashford and Saka come in for Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon. Gordon had a quiet one, didn't he. Rashford, though, livened things up late on against Ghana. You could see the hunger in his movement. And Saka Well, if you want a big game player who can cut in and either shoot or find the corner flag, he is your man. Panama will sit in a low block, make no mistake. They will look to frustrate and hit on the counter with Jose Luis Rodriguez and Tomas Rodriguez. But if England can break the deadlock early, this could get messy for the Central Americans.The question for Southgate now is about tactical flexibility. Can Rogers and Quansah adapt to the pressure of a World Cup knockout game Because that is what this effectively is for England. Win here, and you top the group. Bottle it, and you are in the mixer with the big boys in the next round. The crowd will be nervy, the pitch will be tight. Squeaky bum time, lads. We need to see that clinical finishing we have been missing.
