Liverpool legend Phil Neal has jumped to the defense of Glen Johnson.
Sceptics have blasted Johnson, 29, for being unable to do the basics as a defender - to stop goals first before trying to create them.
"Glen, or England as a whole, can't go in with the same attitude as Liverpool, who look to win by four or five goals or more," said Neal to the Daily Star Sunday.
"I have played against the Italians many times and they know how to bore teams into defeat and we cannot let that happen.
"Italy will be quite happy if Johnson wants to keep rampaging down the flank and will be looking to catch him out. So he needs to box clever in that regard.
"I have seen enough of him this year to know he's a good player and can adapt.
"But England will need to be clever with how they set up so if he does go forward and gets caught out, someone can fill in."
