England's Noni Madueke is sounding the alarm - the Three Lions need to find their rhythm and fluency on the pitch if they're going to take down the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the World Cup last-32 showdown. And make no mistake, this one's shaping up to be a blockbuster battle in Atlanta on Wednesday.
The Gunners' young winger was less than impressed with England's stuttering performance against Ghana in the group stages - a goalless draw that left many wondering if they've got what it takes to break down even the most stubborn of defences. And now, Madueke is warning his teammates not to take their opponents lightly, anticipating a tough encounter that'll require all their skills and guile.
With the DRC expected to employ a similar counter-attacking strategy to Ghana's, Madueke's call for improved attacking cohesion couldn't have come at a more opportune time. And with Bukayo Saka likely to keep his spot on the right wing - despite being replaced by Madueke himself in the Panama game - the England squad will be relying on their attacking prowess to get them over the line.
Madueke's confident that they've got the quality to overcome such defensive setups, pointing out that even top nations often struggle against teams who park the bus. "When you reach this stage of the World Cup, you can't afford to take anyone lightly," he said bluntly. "They'll have their strengths and tactics, and it's up to us to break them down with our patterns of play."
But England aren't just preparing for a physical battle - they're also honing in on the mental aspect, working tirelessly on penalties ahead of what could be a high-stakes shootout. Madueke highlighted the importance of staying calm under pressure, drawing on his own experiences at Arsenal where he was reportedly lined up to take a crucial penalty against Paris Saint-Germain.
And then there's the internal competition that drives England's stars to new heights - particularly with Bukayo Saka waiting in the wings. Madueke described this rivalry as "healthy" and "demanding", pushing him and his teammates to maintain the highest standards, no matter what.
But make no mistake, the DRC are no pushovers. With Newcastle's Yoane Wissa and Sunderland's Noah Sidiki among their ranks, they'll be looking to cause an upset against the Three Lions. England will need to bring their A-game if they're going to secure passage to the quarter-finals with a convincing performance.