Kevin Phillips: Young England squad will play with no fear in Russia

People might say ‘oh they’re young kids, they might feel the pressure of the World Cup’. I think it will have the reverse effect. Our young kids now are that confident that they won’t feel any pressure.

They’ll be saying ‘we’re going to a World Cup, I’ll enjoy it’.

Most of these boys are used to playing in front of 40 or 50,000 week in, week out in the best league in the world. These young lads can handle it.

I know our end product the other night against the Netherlands was not as it can be, but when you look at the players Gareth is putting in the squad, he’s obviously going for youth.

He is experimenting in terms of systems.

We are just 80 days until the World Cup starts and I would suggest he has got to be thinking about what system is going to be taken into the tournament – whether five at the back, centre-backs and wing-backs or a simple back four.

Whatever it is, whatever he decides, I’m sure it’ll be time to put that formation into practice going into the final warm-up games.

There’s a lot of youth, pace and energy as well as enthusiasm – I don’t think we’re in a bad place.

But it is England, remember. It’s that old adage of ‘we’ve done well in the qualifying and warm-up games, let’s just hope we start the tournament right’.

One thing I can say with Gareth is that we’ll be well-prepared. He seems very organised. He will try everything in terms of players, positions and systems. I’m not saying we’re going to win the tournament – that’s not going to happen!

But I certainly see us getting in the knockout stages and would be disappointed if we didn’t.

The biggest thing is that we have pace that can hurt teams.

If Harry Kane was not to be fit, god forbid, then I really would worry where the goals would come from. But in terms of controlling games in possession, I can see us doing that.

We saw Gareth use a three-man defence with wing-backs against the Dutch and it’s a system that I like.

We did it at Leicester in my first coaching job. We were bottom of the league for most of the season. We sat in the room with Nigel Pearson and waited for someone to come up with an idea to kickstart a little run.

We decided on a team with three at the back with two wing-backs and two strikers on the pitch.

I’ve always said – and I’m a great believer of this – why would you not want to get two goalscorers in a team? Games are generally won by the odd goal and most teams only play with one striker.

It gives you an opportunity to get two forwards on the pitch. It worked for us and now it’s about finding the right players.

It might be difficult for a Jesse Lingard or a Marcus Rashford to get in the team if everyone is fit. You’d think Kane and Dele Alli will figure somewhere.

But if you have those pair as two forwards then why can’t you get Lingard or someone else in a midfield role? Lingard is a goalscorer. Whatever you think of him, the boy scores goals. They are playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world and can handle the pressure, no problem. It’s healthy competition.

Another Jack Wilshere injury finished his chances of shining against the Dutch. It’s a shame for Jack. He has to master his own body. He likes to get stuck in and doesn’t leave anything out there.

If you’re injury prone and like to play that kind of role then believe me, it’s in you. A fully fit Jack Wilshire goes to the World Cup and features.

Another midfielder under the spotlight is Jordan Henderson. One thing is for sure, as Liverpool and England captain, he must be doing something right.

Gareth isn’t going to get it wrong and Klopp isn’t stupid either, is he? Yes he is a no-nonsense player, he’s not the most skilful, but you need those players in your team.

If there is license for six players to go forward then Jordan is essential to fill in at the back. He’s reliable and a fit boy. He’s obviously got good leadership qualities on and off the pitch, that’s massive in international football.

I’d play Henderson over Eric Dier and Danny Drinkwater all day long.

The goalkeeping situation is an interesting one. Jack Butland has been picking balls out of his net all season and that affects your confidence.

Everton haven’t pulled up many trees but Gareth has to go with his gut and stick with it. Jordan Pickford is a great young keeper. His distribution is excellent, he’s excellent and he has that bit of arrogance. I’d be confident with him in goal.