Eriksson would never have lost against Croatia
A bold statement, maybe, but people forget that despite Eriksson’s failure to convert 3 quarter-final berths into something better, England under him were not prone to losing games like they did yesterday.
England, under Eriksson, would have stuck to a 4-4-2 or at worst, a 4-5-1 and played out a drab draw.
England, under Eriksson, would not have drawn against Macedonia and would probably have scored against Croatia as well. How? David Beckham, of course.
Yes, England under Eriksson were poor, and some of his decisions are laughable (such as not taking Defoe to Germany, or not using Walcott at the World Cup, or playing Gerrard and Lampard together in midfield). But he would never have allowed England to get into a position of such desperation as they were yesterday where McClaren had to ring 3 subs to switch his team back to a 4-4-2 in search of a win.
I said yesterday that a 3-5-2 was a smart move, but only if the same 11 was capable of switching to a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 when needed. When you’re going for flexibility, you make sure that you keep your best 11 on the pitch.
Eriksson gave us stale football. Macca gives us more of the same, plus the odd surprise result (a big win, a bad loss).
Neither of them can solve the core problems England have – dealing with the pressure, picking the right captain, fixing the relationship between the back 5, playing Rooney into form, picking a solid midfield combination, getting the basics right….the list goes on, but it’s not Macca or Venables who can put things right.
Maybe the players can change on their own? We need Hargreaves, Gerrard, Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Aaron Lennon, Theo Walcott and Rooney fighting fit for Euro 2008.
The Soccerlens England Lineup for Euro 2008
Preferred (4-4-2)
Foster (better command of his box than Robinson)
Wes Brown (the Nevilles will be too old), Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Ashley Cole
Aaron Lennon, Gerrard, Hargreaves, Joe Cole
Rooney, Owen/Walcott
Alternative (4-5-1 / 4-3-3)
Foster
Brown, Ferdinand, Terry, A. Cole
Lennon, Beckham, Hargreaves, Gerrard, Walcott
Rooney/Crouch
Rooney in a 4-5-1 can work as long as he has the wingers and midfielders pushing up to link with him. In a 4-3-3 he will be quite destructive.
Guardian’s excellent coverage
- A rash tactical gamble (Richard Williams)
- England’s problem was defending (David Pleat)
- Eriksson better than McClaren (Rob Smyth)
Topics: England, European Championships, Steve McClaren, Sven Goran Eriksson
Football News 24/7
beckham and crouch? give us a break.
October 12th, 2006 @ 17:54a 4-3-3 would be way better with these players
Robinson (Foster is still not proven)
Brown Rio Terry Cole
Gerrard Hargreaves Carrick/Lampard
rooney owen walcott/Joe cole
I see no reason to speculate on a team for 2008. A year and a half ago, anyone who did not watch the Championship had no idea who Walcott or Lennon were. Football is a game that changes extremely quickly (one must only look at Crouch’s reputation amongst England fans to demonstrate this) and this renders long-term and medium-term conjectures fairly useless.
Bring on the premiership! Am I only one who gets dead bored during the international break period?
October 13th, 2006 @ 01:25But then again, would he have won? Eriksson that is. Mclaren is never known for his strategic prowess but I thought that the 3-5-2 system could give us that edge. We have three good centre-backs in Rio, Terry and Caragher and among them Rio and Terry is known to push up to attack. Neville and Cole should both be experienced enough not to get caught and the midfield trio of Parker, Lampard and Carrick seem stable enough with Carrick and Lampard offering the drive. Then Crouch and Rooney who seem like a big small striker pairing that boast precedence. Well, that all went down the drain and everyone will remember why English teams don’t play 3-5-2. Alien formation and inflexible and technical-deficient players. England never did boast the best technical players but they were revered for the three lions pride. Passion and there is only one method to allow that, 4-4-2 where the team is spread out evenly in the whole field. What more is there to say. Besides, when Mclaren coached Middlesborugh, they only prospered when they played a defensive 4-5-1 formation. i don’t know how he can use a formation that is completely alien to him.
October 14th, 2006 @ 12:14i agree with Dave , a passionate 442! as for Foster arent we talking 2008 here?some way away EC,if you ask me the main problem
October 15th, 2006 @ 04:30hangs with our GK , englands best keeper comes from spurs!chelsea,liverpool,arsenal or man utd keeper would be better,the only english choice being Foster!We need
to use him more!! Robinson can let in goals too so wheres the problem?,give the lad a chance ffs
4-4-2:
Foster
Brown/Richards Ferdinand Terry Cole
Gerrard/Dyer Hargreaves Lampard Cole/Lennon
Rooney//Crouch Owen/Johnson
March 19th, 2007 @ 14:23