History shows us why there is no need to panic about England’s draw with Ghana on Tuesday, but it also underlines why it is important we immediately bounce back.
Since 2006, every World Cup winner has dropped points in their first or second group game – but what they have also done each time is go on to win their group.
I’m confident England will do that too, by beating Panama on Saturday, but I would not be surprised if Thomas Tuchel makes three or even four changes to his team after such a disappointing result and performance.
The biggest call for him to make is probably what he does with his wingers.
I didn’t think Anthony Gordon or Noni Madueke were positive enough against Ghana, they didn’t attack their defender enough when we got the ball to them out wide.
Their crossing was really poor as well, and often it didn’t beat the first man. Our delivery from set-pieces wasn’t great either, but in open play the service from the wingers was pretty much non-existent.
That’s why I think Tuchel will change it up – and Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka have definitely done enough when they have come on in both games to get a chance to start.
What I want to see from both of them is more energy and more directness in one-against-one situations by trying to go past players.
There also needs to be more forward passing rather than taking the easy option by going sideways or backwards.
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