Australia opener David Warner has ramped up the pressure on Ian Bell, claiming the out-of-form England batsman is an "easy wicket".
Since beginning 2015 in Test cricket with 143 against West Indies, Bell has managed 128 across his subsequent 12 knocks, averaging a paltry 10.66.
The right-hander did register a half-century in England's first Ashes Test victory over Australia, but could only post 12 runs over two innings in an emphatic 405-run defeat in the second Test at Lord's.
Bell will be moved up to number three in the batting line-up for the third Test at Edgbaston next week, filling in for Gary Ballance after he was dropped in favour of Jonny Bairstow.
"I think with Ballance and Bell where they are at the moment, they almost seem like two easy wickets at the moment because they're not scoring as many runs as they would like," Warner said.
"But it's cricket. It's a funny game. They're there for a reason.
"They've scored runs in the past and Bell is an experienced player who has got a lot of runs on the board, but he's just in one of those patches. It only takes one good knock to come back out and get back into form.
"I think Johno [Australia seamer Mitchell Johnson] does [have some of the English players worked out].
"We have our same routine to Cookie [Alastair Cook], we have our same routine to Belly. And you have Rootie [Joe Root] who comes out and scores a hundred.
"Their batting order and what's happening in their camp, they are going to have to work out themselves.
"We have to bring our A-game and execute our plans."