CAHILL PLANS NEW APPROACH

GARY CAHILL believes England will make themselves a match for the biggest teams by perfecting a Plan B – and C. The Chelsea defender, closing in on the Premier League title with the Blues, was heartened by the Three Lions’ display in Germany on Wednesday, despite a 1-0 defeat. The likes of Dele Alli and Adam Lallana thrived in Gareth Southgate’s new-look 3-4-3 formation, a system many of them use with their clubs. Cahill (above with Southgate) is suspended for Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Lithuania, but believes nailing down different systems is essential if England want to avoid being predictable. He said: “It’s important for us to have options. If there’s any criticism from when I’ve been part of England it’s that in some games we can play good opposition like Germany, who want to come out and have a good go, and sometimes you play opposition who just sit back. “If you only have a Plan A it can be difficult to break those teams down. “If we can get one or two systems under our belt, it’s only going to be beneficial for us. “You’re away on international duty for a week and you’re from five, six, seven teams who play five, six, seven different styles. “Suddenly you come together, try to play one style and it’s difficult for the manager and the staff. “But if we can master a couple of formations it gives us options. “If we’re struggling in a game we can flip to another formation.”