England can pick holes in Panama

There is an expectation that England will blow Panama out of the water today and be four up at half-time, but I’m afraid that’s not going to happen. Panama may not offer much of an attacking threat but they will be well organised and difficult to break down, as they showed for large periods of their game with Belgium.

The key for England is quick movement of the ball, variety of attack and drawing the opposition out from their rigid defensive structure. One way to do that is have extra players pushing forward. If John Stones can carry the ball forward someone will have to come and meet him eventually, which will create a hole somewhere else.

The other way is riskier but can be more effective - allow Panama to build an attack and let them have the ball high up in your own half. If they have some joy going forward they will commit more men to the attack and England can exploit that space on the break.

Above all, though, England must be patient. If it is still goalless after 70 minutes they can’t panic. Their late show against Tunisia proves that this side can turn it on when it counts.