The Fan

Coach to gamble on team changes

The Editor — Sat, June 24th 2006

Eriksson to make change to formation for last 16 game

Reports in the news today suggest Sven Goran Eriksson is to switch to a 4-1-4-1 formation against Ecuador on Sunday. It is closer to the formation that many feel he should have been playing prior to the World Cup, but he risks the allegation that he is trying to pick the best players and then fit a formation around them.

England have, on paper, four world class players: Rooney, Beckham, Gerrard, and Lampard. Coupled with the fact that Joe Cole has so far outshone them all, Eriksson’s selection of these 5 primarily attacking players is set in stone.

The questions then become: who to fit around them and in what formation?

Assuming Beckham’s defensive deficiencies shown against Sweden have ruled out any rumour that he may drop to right back it leaves him with 4 midfield positions filled.

Eriksson’ Italian roots (and indeed the style of play English teams prefer) will demand 4 at the back. With Neville and Ferdinand doubtful their places are likely to be taken by 2 from Campbell, Carragher and Hargreaves. After Campbell’s unconvincing entrance against Sweden, maybe Carragher should be moved into the centre, and Hargreaves moved to right back.

Hargreaves’ flexibilty might be his curse. He had his best game in an England shirt in the last game, but England’s failings to replace Neville’s attacking ability could force him to drop in as Carragher’s replacement.

Which leaves one more place to fill…

TV and newspapers are indicating that Carrick will make his World Cup debut in a holding midfield role, providing the other 4 midfielders the chance to support a lone Rooney upfront.

This is a remakable turnaround for Carrick who seemed to have been taken to Germany for a holiday and marks a huge change of mind for Eriksson.

Can a half-fit Rooney cope on his own up front? Probably so, as Rooney’s first touch and ability to find space are his greatest assets - he relies on pace far less than, say Owen.

Playing one man upfront is a risk though. The Italians totally stifled the Czech Republic’s Baros, which denied them any opportunity to build attacks. And the Czech squad were built entirely to play to that system.

Eriksson is potentially taking a lot of risks and he should be congratulated if they work.

One warning sign for Sven, though.

The temperature is said to be soaring again. It is unlikely the eleven players selected will survive without a full complement of substitutions, and Eriksson record for making substitutions is often criticised For Rooney to last 90 minutes upfront on his own seems unlikely, and without him we look for short of attacking options.

 

Listed in: Competitions, World Cup, Countries, England

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