England warned Senegal game will be similar to Wales clash – but Three Lions must believe

We’ve got to have belief. The players have had plenty of rest and Gareth Southgate has had time to work on England’s shape and analyse Senegal.

The lads have played a lot of games in a short space of time, so this little five-day breather will have benefited the squad.

I’m quite sure his staff will have done plenty of due diligence on Senegal, particularly as it always seemed likely we’d play them, but they are a good team.

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We’ve already seen plenty of shocks in this tournament – and England don’t want to be another one.

It will be similar to the Wales game. Senegal are deemed the underdogs and have nothing to lose, but they will sit behind the ball and look to make it very difficult.

They will want to stay in the game as long as possible and then in the last 15 or 20 minutes look to nick something.

For England it’s about trying to negotiate through this tactic. It’s no surprise that sometimes the games liven up in the second half. Against Wales we had to wait and grind them down. It’ll be no different against Senegal and fans have to be patient.

All the teams who have topped their groups have faced similar challenges, it’s not just England in isolation.

The Wales game has given Southgate a selection headache, but he can’t drop Marcus Rashford now.

He really does seem happier in himself over the last few months – with both Manchester United and England – and it shows on the pitch.

I’d love to see Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden in midfield along with Bukayo Saka, Rashford and Harry Kane in attack.

I’m not worried about Kane’s lack of goals so far. He does sometimes have these lulls.

He’s developed his game a lot and reminds me of Teddy Sheringham now. Kane has just got this wonderful creativity about him. He whips balls into space and sees things before any England player.

I’m sure the goals are going to come, but even if they don’t the link-up play makes him a nailed on starter. He’s showing his worth to the team in every single game.

The wide men know Kane has the ability to thread through these beautifully weighted passes. He’s become a bit of a midfield genius while still a world-class striker.

With the defence, they’ve not received enough credit yet. The concentration levels, particularly against Wales, were very high.

John Stones and Harry Maguire have been excellent. With Maguire, he does worry me when he faces pace and there’s a lot of space behind him.

But in fairness, he’s done incredibly well in these last three games and I honestly think he’s been one of the star players.

He’s so committed and his range of passing has been good. Crucially, those defensive qualities when called upon – so far – have been top class.

Fair play to him, because he’ll know he’s not everyone’s favourite. But Southgate trusts him and that’s massive when you’ve got total backing from a manager.

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