These are the true stars of the game. They orchestrate everything going on around them and can even dictate the pace of the game.

Players such as Romania's Gheorghe Hagi, French ace Zinedine Zidane and Chilean Marcelo Salas have that little bit of arrogance that makes them try something special.

Paul Gascoigne is a notable absence from the list of great players at France `98 and his omission could still prove very costly for England. I saw him at his brilliant best during our World Cup campaign in 1990 and have no doubt he should be in the England squad. Without him something vital is lacking from Glenn Hoddle's team because he doesn't have another like him.

Say what you like about Gazza's approach to fitness and his other well documented difficulties, he still has the touch of greatness.

It would be a disaster if England were to fail to qualify but I have to admit I am not wholly confidentwe will get the result we need against Colombia.

Obviously, England have the advantage as they only need a draw to progress but it is always difficult to lift yourself after a confidence-sapping defeat.

I would like Hoddle to revert to a 4-4-2 system. It doesn't just provide more defensive stability, it also gives the wide mid-fielders the chance to whip in the crosses for Alan Shearer.

At this level it is very difficult to play through teams, so getting good balls into the penalty area from the flanks is vital to our chances of progressing in the tournament.

France have answered their critics with some wonderful attacking football and it is difficult to argue they will struggle for goals when they managed to beat a goalkeeper of the calibre of Peter Schmeichel twice.

I am delighted both my outsiders -- Chile and Nigeria -- have made it through to the knock out stages.

Nigeria will face Denmark in the next round and certainly have the firepower to reach the quarter-finals for the first time intheir history while Chile have the mouth-watering prospect of a shootout with Brazil.

(Peter Shilton won 125 international caps for England and played in three World Cups.)