Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Telegraph %7C Sport %7C Eriksson and Beckham have a debt to payFor England's players and their coach, Sven-Goran Eriksson, there are no points of the World Cup qualifying variety on offer - the road to Germany 2006 begins in 17 days in Vienna - but there are points aplenty to prove. Just ask Eriksson, who knows the tide of public approval has turned against him. Or David Beckham, desperate to make amends for sub-standard displays and skied spot-kicks in Portugal.
Just ask Nicky Butt, restored to the base of the diamond after fading from contention in Lisbon. Or Kieron Dyer, derided by Newcastle United fans as "over-rated and overpaid" in the local prints yet here afforded a second-half, left-sided chance to parade his abilities to Bigg Market sceptics or potential suitors from other clubs.
Just ask Alan Smith whether he appreciates this rare chance to partner Michael Owen. Or whether Jermain Defoe wants to replace Owen at the break. Or whether Ledley King relishes the opportunity of standing shoulder to shoulder with John Terry in combating the mighty Andrei Shevchenko. Despite all the carping over England, the players are in Carpe Diem mood.
Hopes and fears swirl through English minds. Frustration, too. Paul Scholes was the only member of England's midfield quartet who approved of the diamond and he has retired. Frank Lampard is better breaking from deep, not the forward point of the diamond Eriksson has assigned him to.
Steven Gerrard, Liverpool's vigorous midfielder, should be the heart-beat of Eriksson's team, not shunted out to the left to accommodate Butt and mask the age-old absence of a left-sided midfielder. The left continues to tax English thoughts. Stewart Downing's development at Middlesbrough will be keenly followed. Eriksson would have looked at Wayne Bridge had the Chelsea player not been injured. "It might be the solution in the future," observed Eriksson.
The head coach defended the lack of new faces in the starting line-up, citing the paucity of contenders to the established order. "I don't pick players because I like them as people. Do you want me to drop Gerrard and Beckham? You seem to have forgotten what Beckham has done for England in the last three-and-a-half years.
"I might leave Beckham out if his form dropped off. If I can find a better player on the right than Beckham I would leave him out.
"But can you find one? You have to help me to find better players. If you find them, I'm prepared to listen, absolutely.
"I hope some new young players will come through. That's why I've picked Shaun Wright-Phillips, who has pace, good technique and spirit, and Defoe, who's improving. King was in Portugal. I always hope we will find a new Wayne Rooney - up front, in midfield and at the back."
In the absence of Rooney and Emile Heskey, who felt his hamstring tighten yesterday, Smith starts. "He's unselfish, a good target man and a fighter," enthused Eriksson. "It's good to have temperament like his; you can't kill it completely. Smith is playing more simple, more one-touch, not standing and fighting with the centre-half a lot, which he did in the past. He's already doing better than he did last season."
Tynesiders will certainly admire the commitment levels of Smith, a teetotal man determined to live sensibly off the field so as to be right for match-day. The contrast with Dyer's playboy image is obvious and Newcastle's occasional midfielder can expect a rough reception when arriving after the break. "I don't remember ever having a situation where I had to protect a player from the crowd," mused Eriksson.
St James' will be far from full tonight; even Jimmy Five Bellies and the Fat Slags could comfortably be accommodated on the Gallowgate. Some disaffection does grow with England, yet the main grievance is over the FA's shameless profiteering exercise. Whichever Soho Square suit decreed that £40 is a reasonable ticket price in a region hardly boasting Surrey's affluence should remember the national team belongs to the people, not to the commercial department of the FA.
Interest does remain in England, as seen by the hordes of autograph-hunters congregating at the squad's Northumberland retreat. Beckham, the national icon most attentive to fans, even whipped off his shirt and handed it to a delighted young girl who was shivering on the touchline during training.
However reassuring such moments are, the fact remains that the bond fastening England to their supporters has been loosened. The fans are owed some entertainment from Beckham and company. Eriksson is keeping the faith, even with his captain from 12 yards. "Beckham will take penalties - at least for now."
England v Ukraine
England
James
(Man C)
G Neville
(Man U) Terry
(Chelsea) King
(Tottenham) Cole
(Arsenal)
Butt
(Newcastle)
Beckham
(Real Madrid) Lampard
(Chelsea) Gerrard
(Liverpool)
Smith
(Man Utd) Owen
(R Madrid)
Shevchenko
(AC Milan)
Husyei
(D'petrovsk) Rotan
(D'petrovsk)
Vorobei
(SDonetsk) Chelaiev
(D'petrovsk) Tomitchuk
(D'petrovsk) Nesmachni
(D Kiev)
Yeserski
(D Kiev) Rusol
(D'petrovsk) Fedorov
(D'petrovsk)
Shovkovski
(D Kiev)
Ukraine
17 August 2004: Owen will be Real deal, says Beckham
17 August 2004: Defoe in a hurry to impress
Next story: Confidence lets Cole shine on international stage
The Football Association
Telegraph text alerts
Bet on International friendlies
Parry wins bronze
Stephen Parry of Liverpool ends Britain's eight-year wait for a Olympic medal in the pool after clinching the bronze in the men's 200 metres butterfly.
Funnell's hopes dashed
In pictures: Olympic highlights
Time to deliver
There may be no World Cup qualifying points at stake St James' Park but the match with Ukraine has great significance.
In pictures: Owen at Liverpool
In pictures: Summer transfers
In pictures: England win Test
Live cricket scoreboard
Just ask Nicky Butt, restored to the base of the diamond after fading from contention in Lisbon. Or Kieron Dyer, derided by Newcastle United fans as "over-rated and overpaid" in the local prints yet here afforded a second-half, left-sided chance to parade his abilities to Bigg Market sceptics or potential suitors from other clubs.
Just ask Alan Smith whether he appreciates this rare chance to partner Michael Owen. Or whether Jermain Defoe wants to replace Owen at the break. Or whether Ledley King relishes the opportunity of standing shoulder to shoulder with John Terry in combating the mighty Andrei Shevchenko. Despite all the carping over England, the players are in Carpe Diem mood.
Hopes and fears swirl through English minds. Frustration, too. Paul Scholes was the only member of England's midfield quartet who approved of the diamond and he has retired. Frank Lampard is better breaking from deep, not the forward point of the diamond Eriksson has assigned him to.
Steven Gerrard, Liverpool's vigorous midfielder, should be the heart-beat of Eriksson's team, not shunted out to the left to accommodate Butt and mask the age-old absence of a left-sided midfielder. The left continues to tax English thoughts. Stewart Downing's development at Middlesbrough will be keenly followed. Eriksson would have looked at Wayne Bridge had the Chelsea player not been injured. "It might be the solution in the future," observed Eriksson.
The head coach defended the lack of new faces in the starting line-up, citing the paucity of contenders to the established order. "I don't pick players because I like them as people. Do you want me to drop Gerrard and Beckham? You seem to have forgotten what Beckham has done for England in the last three-and-a-half years.
"I might leave Beckham out if his form dropped off. If I can find a better player on the right than Beckham I would leave him out.
"But can you find one? You have to help me to find better players. If you find them, I'm prepared to listen, absolutely.
"I hope some new young players will come through. That's why I've picked Shaun Wright-Phillips, who has pace, good technique and spirit, and Defoe, who's improving. King was in Portugal. I always hope we will find a new Wayne Rooney - up front, in midfield and at the back."
In the absence of Rooney and Emile Heskey, who felt his hamstring tighten yesterday, Smith starts. "He's unselfish, a good target man and a fighter," enthused Eriksson. "It's good to have temperament like his; you can't kill it completely. Smith is playing more simple, more one-touch, not standing and fighting with the centre-half a lot, which he did in the past. He's already doing better than he did last season."
Tynesiders will certainly admire the commitment levels of Smith, a teetotal man determined to live sensibly off the field so as to be right for match-day. The contrast with Dyer's playboy image is obvious and Newcastle's occasional midfielder can expect a rough reception when arriving after the break. "I don't remember ever having a situation where I had to protect a player from the crowd," mused Eriksson.
St James' will be far from full tonight; even Jimmy Five Bellies and the Fat Slags could comfortably be accommodated on the Gallowgate. Some disaffection does grow with England, yet the main grievance is over the FA's shameless profiteering exercise. Whichever Soho Square suit decreed that £40 is a reasonable ticket price in a region hardly boasting Surrey's affluence should remember the national team belongs to the people, not to the commercial department of the FA.
Interest does remain in England, as seen by the hordes of autograph-hunters congregating at the squad's Northumberland retreat. Beckham, the national icon most attentive to fans, even whipped off his shirt and handed it to a delighted young girl who was shivering on the touchline during training.
However reassuring such moments are, the fact remains that the bond fastening England to their supporters has been loosened. The fans are owed some entertainment from Beckham and company. Eriksson is keeping the faith, even with his captain from 12 yards. "Beckham will take penalties - at least for now."
England v Ukraine
England
James
(Man C)
G Neville
(Man U) Terry
(Chelsea) King
(Tottenham) Cole
(Arsenal)
Butt
(Newcastle)
Beckham
(Real Madrid) Lampard
(Chelsea) Gerrard
(Liverpool)
Smith
(Man Utd) Owen
(R Madrid)
Shevchenko
(AC Milan)
Husyei
(D'petrovsk) Rotan
(D'petrovsk)
Vorobei
(SDonetsk) Chelaiev
(D'petrovsk) Tomitchuk
(D'petrovsk) Nesmachni
(D Kiev)
Yeserski
(D Kiev) Rusol
(D'petrovsk) Fedorov
(D'petrovsk)
Shovkovski
(D Kiev)
Ukraine
17 August 2004: Owen will be Real deal, says Beckham
17 August 2004: Defoe in a hurry to impress
Next story: Confidence lets Cole shine on international stage
The Football Association
Telegraph text alerts
Bet on International friendlies
Parry wins bronze
Stephen Parry of Liverpool ends Britain's eight-year wait for a Olympic medal in the pool after clinching the bronze in the men's 200 metres butterfly.
Funnell's hopes dashed
In pictures: Olympic highlights
Time to deliver
There may be no World Cup qualifying points at stake St James' Park but the match with Ukraine has great significance.
In pictures: Owen at Liverpool
In pictures: Summer transfers
In pictures: England win Test
Live cricket scoreboard
