Play it like Brazil, says Platt - full-backs must become wingers against Israel

This is not Andorra or Estonia. These are capable players who know how to execute a gameplan and have the ability to frustrate England over long periods.

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England's full-backs must attack like Roberto Carlos

So what do England do to counter what looks likely to be 90 minutes of suffocation?

It may sound odd, but the full backs will be crucial to a successful afternoon.

McClaren's team need to stretch Israel across the width of the field to create the holes for our attacking midfielders.

Ashley Cole and Micah Richards are key to this if they follow the method that proved so successful for the last great Brazil team.

Usually, when one full back goes forward, the other takes responsibility and moves infield to help the central defenders cover. But tomorrow — with Israel leaving only one player upfield — this will not matter.

So just like Roberto Carlos and Cafu did for Brazil, Cole and Richards can both bomb on without worrying unduly.

All that matters then is that someone plays the Gilberto Silva or the Dunga role.

Cole: Licensed to thrill on the wing

In other words, a holding man like Owen Hargreaves must sit in front of the central defenders to provide insurance against an Israeli counter-attack when the full backs disappear upfield.

I am not convinced about how England will manage up front, given how the opposition play.

Whether it is Emile Heskey or Andy Johnson who partners Michael Owen, there will be no opportunity to get in behind a defence that is going to sit deep.

It will certainly be hard for our forwards to exploit their natural pace.

The route to goal is likely to come through the spaces created by England switching the ball quickly across the field, at the right time and in the right areas.

Then the spaces will open up for Steven Gerrard — if he is fit — to surge in via a quick one-two on the edge of the box.

England must keep faith with their tactics, even if it takes them a while to score.

One of the dangers of facing a blanket defence is that players become frustrated and forget the gameplan.

They throw in long balls out of desperation. They get edgy and the crowd sense this and also get edgy.

As long as England can see they are creating spaces and opportunities, they should show the mental toughness needed to stick with it.

I am disappointed David Bentley is unlikely to play. In the absence of Wayne Rooney, the Blackburn player would have provided the bit of genius that can open up a defence.

Without him, I am not sure where that will come from. Maybe Joe Cole.

But, with patience, England should break down Israel and, once the first goal comes, then the game changes.