Sack Sven. Burn Sven. Throw his ashes overboard.

[Doc Sark]

Sven Goran Eriksson is a gutless imberceile.

That is my opinion of the man. I am not of the persuasion where I go around criticising England managers because I am normally the most optimistic person when it comes to the national team and their chances on the International stage. But I am fed up with Sven Goran Eriksson now. His ideas are stale, his team selection is unadventurous and media accomodating, his style is dull, and in my opinion he is not the man to lead England to 2006 World Cup glory in Germany.

We need a man with passion, like Allardyce, a man close to the players, like McLaren, a man with motivation, like Curbishley, a man with a sense of adventure, like Keegan. Eriksson, for me, fulfils absolutely none of the above criteria. Our last two friendly performances have gone from woeful to distinctley average, we haven't found the net in 180 minutes of football, and Mr. Eriksson is far too accomodating of would be critics if he dares to take a gamble on his team selection.

I would wholeheartedly welcome a change in management, heck I think that some form of co-management would work brilliantly, like it did for the Swedes. If the F.A don't think that there is an English manager out there that has the competence or the necessary experience to do the job himself then why not appoint two. Allardyce and McLaren would work for me. Adventurous styles combined with tactical knowledge and experience at the highest levels.

My rant stems mainly from the international friendly on wednesday night. I thought Sven's poor tactics were reflected by the poor performances on the pitch. Playing SWP and Becks in the same team was almost a given, but setting it up with Beckham doing whatever he liked while Shaun played down the right AND left did neither player any favours. Owen was starved of chances because of this, he was only getting high balls down the centre coming in to him.

But my biggest gripe, and it was the gripe of the BBC pundits also, was the utilisation of Andy Johnson. He does NOT want to play down the right. Never, ever, ever. He is striker's striker, in the Lineker mould. 15 goals this season, the highest scoring Englishman on planet Earth right now and Sven doesn't even have the decency to revert to a 4-4-2 to accomodate him when he was brought on. He substitution came at the same time as Downing's introduction. Downing could have played on the left, Lampard and Gerrard in the centre, Becks on the right, Owen and Johnson upfront. Owen would have enjoyed playing alongside Johnson, a strong centre forward is what he thrives off.

Anyway, you can give your opinions about the performances of the players and the manager and vote on the poll. Is Sven Goran Eriksson the man to bring England glory in 2006?

[gokufusionss1]

I second that.

[tomamar04]

Of course he isn't. The England team has some of the best players in the world (Rooney, Beckham, Owen, Gerrard, Lampard, Ferdinand etc) but we never produce.

We should of started with Downing on the left, Wright-Phillips on the right, and Beckham and Gerrard in the centre (we all know what Lampard can do, so leave him out for a game, especailly as it is a friendly). Start with Owen and Rooney in attack. At half-time, take Owen off, and replace him with Johnsen. If Sven really felt the need to play Hargreaves, take Beckham or Gerrard off. Our defence is pretty sturdy so we shouldn't have many problems there.

Steve McLaren should be England manager.

But saying that, I'd bet almost anything that we'll beat Northern Ireland and Azerbaijan next month.

[gokufusionss1]

People keep talking up Erikssons record, First it was "He's never lost a competitive match" Then he lost to brazil. The "he's never lost in Europe" Then we lost out at Euro 2004, Now they say "he's never lost a qualifier" That's because up to know we've played poor oposition the only major team we've beat with any conviction was Germany and that was a team on it's way out. The man can't change a team at halftime to produce a victory, he wastes players puting them out of position and he's not English his passion for this teamis next to Zero.

[Shoden]

maybe we should give Sir bobby another chance i was storming when i saw him leave Newcastle, at the time he was at England he didnt have half as much time as Sven on England he never even had much of a chance to change the team or even do anything good, i know it maybe bull to you but Sir Bobby Robson was a brilliant Manager who never let Newcastle down sure he never won Europe or the Premiership even the cups but he kept the spirits up and Bellamy never challenged him but it was a real bad shame seeing him leave and seeing his <img src=http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif><img src=http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif><img src=http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif><img src=http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif> <img src=http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif><img src=http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif><img src=http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif><img src=http://forums.eyesonff.com/images/smilies/rpg_009.gif>ING Idiot as his successor man thats bad.

the question for you is did Sir Bobby have much of a chance to Change England back then?

[Psychotic]

The England team has some of the best players in the world (Rooney, Beckham, Owen, Gerrard, Lampard, Ferdinand etc) but we never produce.Yeah, I agree. There has to be some reason for this, and the only reason why has to be the manager.

As for a replacement? Eh, no idea. But Sven's done all he can for the English team. At times we've shown great promise, but then against Brazil (02) and Portgual (04) we just looked lost.

[Shoden]

Portugal was the refs fault he ripped us off and took sides (like just about most other refs in the tournament) hopefully his replacement will gain favour of the refs and know how to manage a team, Svens more of a publicity guy now

[boris no no]

he just looks far too scary....

[NM]

Sven's problem is he's to nice. I've got on idea how he can motivate a team if there having a bad game. Has he ever been seen shouting at the 4th official or been in a steaming mood in a post match interview after a bad game?

The other problem is he won't drop players even if there playing badly. Beckham in Euro 2004 as an example. Plus he seems to like playing everyone out of position mainly so Becks can stay on the right wing, even if someone else is playing much better. Why he keeps playing 4-3-3 is beyond me and to stick with it once Johnson came on was just stupid. I only watched the 2nd half against Holland and that was enough.

I think Sven needs to give some other players a chance from the start in the next friendly. We all know what Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney, Owen and company can do so why not let some of the fringe players have a game.

I would have picked the following players for the match against holland.

GK - Green
LB - Cole
CB - Carragher
CB - Brown
RB - Johnson
LM - Downing
CM - Hargreaves
CM - Jenas/Dyer
RM - Wright-Philips
CF - Johnson
CF - Rooney/Owen

Friendly games are the only real chance for these kind of players to show what they can bring to the game, but Sven seems to waste match after match giving one or two new players 30mins out of position whilst all the regulars fill up the rest of the team.

[Doc Sark]

I suppose in that respect, there is a strong case to bring back the England B Team. It may be a second rate international without much media hype but at the end of the day, the manager can look at those players he wouldn't normally play. I mean why not? Every club has a reserve side, why shouldn't England. It seems pointless to draft a 24 man squad if they can't all play in a match situation. I noticed that Van Basten only put 6 players on the bench, he knew exactly who he wanted to look at.

[tomamar04]

I agree with that. Take 16 players on friendly's, with a maximum of 3 subs. Another 16 players play in a 'B' team, again with a maximum of 3 subs. When te qualifiers come, replace any first team players performing badly, or injured with B team players.

This way, Eriksson can watch 28 plyers in action (11+3 subs x2)

btw, I thought Beckham, along with Neville and Carragher was our best player on Wednesday night.

[Doc Sark]

I thought Neville was unusually ineffective myself. He's normally so good for England. I agree about Becks though, he showed intelligent passes and enthusiasm that he was lacking in 2004. Carragher, well what can I say, he is probably the most consistent player in England. Not as good as Campbell, Terry or Ferdinand technically, but he never has an off day and always gives 110%. Great player.

[Shoden]

the squad needs to learn more on working together theres alot of solo dare devils who end up going way offside when there was a clear pass, i nolticed that Beckham knows his stuff in the game hes getting his form back but i still think Alan Shearer was wrong to quit

[Doc Sark]

If Shearer ever comes out of retirement, I'll retire him myself...with a bat and a bear trap. He WAS a great player. Now he is past it. Not good enough to oust either Rooney or Owen.

I really don't think the team has a problem working together, they can't help the instructions given to them by the manager. Also I didn't notice an abnormal amount of offsides against England in the game. The one that sticks out was Beckham latching on Gerrard's brilliant run. I thought it was a nice idea, but Van Der Sar had it covered anyway.

[Shoden]

hmmm Shearer still has some brilliant games in him he just doesnt get a chance now as most of the team has Matured same with Newcastle but the Teams need managers that can handle them so you think they're gonna put Souness as manager of England? well i wouldnt even try it if i was the F.A but Sven should retire now hes done all he can and they need a newer better manager who stands up to players and isnt afraid to tell them if they're doing wrong or right.

[tomamar04]

Up until the emergence of Wayne Rooney, Shearer probably was still good enough to be in the starting 11.

And what's the deal with playing Johnsen and Rooney in Midfield...I need explainations!

[Doc Sark]

hmmm Shearer still has some brilliant games in him he just doesnt get a chance now as most of the team has Matured same with Newcastle but the Teams need managers that can handle them so you think they're gonna put Souness as manager of England?

O.K I never suggested for a minute that Souness should be in charge of England. Given my abhorrence for the man coupled with the fact that he is a Scot means he doesn't even make it to the bottom of my list. I wouldn't even consider him.

Shearer is past it. He retired from international football early because he didn't have the balls to play for England with the possibility that he might be replaced looming. He's a coward and a quitter, as is Paul Scholes.


And what's the deal with playing Johnsen and Rooney in Midfield...I need explainations!

I was just as baffled as you to see this. Rooney in the wing role was understandable, in a 4-3-3 it's his logical position. But Johnson, well you're a United fan, would you play Van Nistelrooy on the right side of attack? I doubt it. Would anyone? Unlikely. Has Sven got syphillus? Probably.

[Shoden]

Sven has to go but his replacement maybe worse or better depending on who it is

[tomamar04]

His replacement can't be any worse.

I don't really see Scholes as a quitter. He was forced to play on the left wing, which he simply couldn't do. He was playing out of position all the way through 2004.

btw, who do you think Sven will pick against N.Ireland and Azerbaijan (assuming injuries don't stand in the way). I'd like to see;

GK - Robinson
RB - Neville
CB - Ferdinand
CB - Terry
LB - Cole
RM - Beckham
CM - Lampard
CM - Gerrard
LM - Downing
CF - Rooney
CF - Owen

Back to basics 4-4-2. I know Downing has only played 30 minutes of international football, but I think he could work well. With players like Gerrard and Lampard supplying you the ammo, and Rooney and Owen the targets, he can only improve. Cole and Downing could be England's best left side partnership in years.

[Doc Sark]

I don't really see Scholes as a quitter. He was forced to play on the left wing, which he simply couldn't do. He was playing out of position all the way through 2004.

When did that happen? As far as I was aware it was Gerrard who played left wing in Euro 2004. Scholes knew that Lampard was going to replace him and wasn't willing to fight for his place. Quitter. You don't see James quitting now he has been replaced, or Beckham because he's got a little competition.

I doubt very much you will see that. Campbell will be fit by then so he will play and Terry won't, as much as I'd rather see Ferdinand dropped for Terry, it won't happen. Downing won't play. If he plays 4-4-2 it will be SWP despite Downing being a natural left footer. You know how I know this, because Sven is predictable. I think we'll win both games, but it won't be exciting or new. Everyone would "like" to see new players thrown in to the mix but it just won't happen under Sven.

[NM]

I don't think Sven will even play SWP on the left hand side. If he does revert back to a 4-4-2 formation I think he'll put Wayne Bridge there with Ashley Cole at left back.


I vant to suck your football team. 1 F.A Secretary Ah Ah, 2 F.A Secretaries ah ah. This cracked me up btw. Ah, Ah. :count: :p

[tomamar04]

I doubt very much you will see that. Campbell will be fit by then so he will play and Terry won't, as much as I'd rather see Ferdinand dropped for Terry, it won't happen. Downing won't play. If he plays 4-4-2 it will be SWP despite Downing being a natural left footer. You know how I know this, because Sven is predictable. I think we'll win both games, but it won't be exciting or new. Everyone would "like" to see new players thrown in to the mix but it just won't happen under Sven.

1. I think Terry and Ferdinand have both been more consistant than Campbell this year. Just look at the stats, Chelsea have conceded 8 goals this season, United have conceded 16, and Arsenal have concede 30. That's 3 more than Manchester City!

2. I know you're right, the likelyhood of Sven playing 4-4-2 with a natural left footer is almost 0% chance, I would just love to see Downing start an important international. Can you honestly think of anyone who can play better in that posistion; Bridge? SWP? Rooney? or even HESKEY?!

btw, nice sig!

[gokufusionss1]

i don't think you can use Arsenal stats as proof of campbell's irratic form considering he's being out with injurys half the season, talk to arsenal fans they consider the loss of campbell where it all went wrong.
I feel Terry and ferdinand should be the pair for England, i would love to say Terry and Carragher but you can't play with two slow centre backs one of them needs to have pace.