Post by Salem6 on Feb 17, 2004 9:59:09 GMT
By Henry Winter
sport.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2004/02/17/sfnwin17.xml&sSheet=/sport/2004/02/17/ixfooty.html
A gifted midfielder who puts the Art into D'Artagnan, Robert Pires is always
worth listening to as well as watching. Arsenal's Frenchman is so impressed
by the quality of Sven-Goran Eriksson and his players that he believes
England will prosper this summer. "It should be possible for England to get
to the final of Euro 2004," Pires says.
He marvels at Sol Campbell in action. He himself dovetails beautifully with
Ashley Cole down Arsenal's left. Pires also considers Paul Scholes the
Platini of the Pennines. "England have continued to improve and with players
like Sol and the others they have a good chance," Pires added.
The calibre of England's players is acknowledged, individuals like David
Beckham, Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard, Scholes and Campbell respected
throughout Europe. Quality fills the dug-out as well. "Eriksson is a great
manager and the main reason for England's improvement," Pires argues.
Amid the rush to entwine Eriksson with Chelsea, Manchester United and any
other club boasting a depth of ambition and resources, it can be forgotten
what a good job the Swede is doing with England, how such Champions League
clubs have become so covetous merely because of the calm way he fills
players with belief. Sweden's reputation for exporting diplomats remains
intact.
Everyone genuflects before the mystique of Eriksson. But why? Developing
conversations with him borders on the excruciating. Encounter Eriksson at an
airport carousel, an embassy reception or FA tea-party and there is little
colourful hinterland to discover.
Initially warm, ultimately cold, Eriksson bats away conviviality. He is
intelligent enough to keep things simple. His successful science is simply
the appliance of commonsense. Don't criticise players. Back them against the
FA, against referees, against prickly opponents. Don't pick those who may
not fit into Camp Beckham (McManaman, Fowler and Sutton). Get on with club
managers. Woo Beckham. Smile for the cameras but say little of substance to
the microphones. Shrewd Swede? For inscrutable read uncomplicated.
Applying logic to all his thoughts, Eriksson's comments tend to make sense
rather than sensation which is not always the way with England managers. He
backs a winter break and the National Football Centre, both important to
England's long-term development.
Apart from the shadow of Nancy's raised rolling-pin, life is not difficult
for Sven the Sensible. Pick those players in the Champions League. Be
considered sweet and pleasant to every player by getting dear old Tord Grip
to talk up those, like Alan Thompson, you have no intention of picking.
Above all, count yourself lucky to land in England when a crop of promising
players somehow break forth like snowdrops through tarmac.
So let us pause a while and rewind a reel. Eriksson's oft-derided
predecessor, Kevin Keegan, prayed in private about just holding on to the
job until the flower of England blossomed. Keegan rarely had a fit Gerrard,
the spark-plugs of England's midfield. Now Ashley Cole and Wayne Rooney are
thrusting through. Rooney, echoing Darius Vassell, appears more inspired by
international combat than domestic. Those who watch Everton will argue
Rooney has much to learn. Those in thrall to England will thrill to Rooney's
impact.
And what of Cole? England's feisty left-back warrants censure for serial
impertinence to officials and occasional wreckless challenges, yet going
forward the Arsenal flyer must be acknowledged as a gem to treasure,
particularly as England possess no natural width down that particular flank.
One solution which Eriksson has yet to consider could be provided by the
cocky Middlesbrough left-winger, Stewart Downing, who can run all day, beat
a man and whip in a cross. Only 19, Downing has plenty to learn and if
listens to his bright manager, Steve McClaren, he may develop into an
England international.
The left-sided conundrum remains unanswered for now, Gerrard earmarked for a
tucked-in role there at Euro 2004. Other concerns include enduring defensive
frailties and the occasional concern that David James may misjudge a cross
or corner at a pivotal moment. But with Eriksson in charge, and Owen,
Beckham, Gerrard and Scholes in the side, England will fancy their chances
against the elite three of Italy, Portugal and Pires's France this summer.
sport.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2004/02/17/sfnwin17.xml&sSheet=/sport/2004/02/17/ixfooty.html
A gifted midfielder who puts the Art into D'Artagnan, Robert Pires is always
worth listening to as well as watching. Arsenal's Frenchman is so impressed
by the quality of Sven-Goran Eriksson and his players that he believes
England will prosper this summer. "It should be possible for England to get
to the final of Euro 2004," Pires says.
He marvels at Sol Campbell in action. He himself dovetails beautifully with
Ashley Cole down Arsenal's left. Pires also considers Paul Scholes the
Platini of the Pennines. "England have continued to improve and with players
like Sol and the others they have a good chance," Pires added.
The calibre of England's players is acknowledged, individuals like David
Beckham, Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard, Scholes and Campbell respected
throughout Europe. Quality fills the dug-out as well. "Eriksson is a great
manager and the main reason for England's improvement," Pires argues.
Amid the rush to entwine Eriksson with Chelsea, Manchester United and any
other club boasting a depth of ambition and resources, it can be forgotten
what a good job the Swede is doing with England, how such Champions League
clubs have become so covetous merely because of the calm way he fills
players with belief. Sweden's reputation for exporting diplomats remains
intact.
Everyone genuflects before the mystique of Eriksson. But why? Developing
conversations with him borders on the excruciating. Encounter Eriksson at an
airport carousel, an embassy reception or FA tea-party and there is little
colourful hinterland to discover.
Initially warm, ultimately cold, Eriksson bats away conviviality. He is
intelligent enough to keep things simple. His successful science is simply
the appliance of commonsense. Don't criticise players. Back them against the
FA, against referees, against prickly opponents. Don't pick those who may
not fit into Camp Beckham (McManaman, Fowler and Sutton). Get on with club
managers. Woo Beckham. Smile for the cameras but say little of substance to
the microphones. Shrewd Swede? For inscrutable read uncomplicated.
Applying logic to all his thoughts, Eriksson's comments tend to make sense
rather than sensation which is not always the way with England managers. He
backs a winter break and the National Football Centre, both important to
England's long-term development.
Apart from the shadow of Nancy's raised rolling-pin, life is not difficult
for Sven the Sensible. Pick those players in the Champions League. Be
considered sweet and pleasant to every player by getting dear old Tord Grip
to talk up those, like Alan Thompson, you have no intention of picking.
Above all, count yourself lucky to land in England when a crop of promising
players somehow break forth like snowdrops through tarmac.
So let us pause a while and rewind a reel. Eriksson's oft-derided
predecessor, Kevin Keegan, prayed in private about just holding on to the
job until the flower of England blossomed. Keegan rarely had a fit Gerrard,
the spark-plugs of England's midfield. Now Ashley Cole and Wayne Rooney are
thrusting through. Rooney, echoing Darius Vassell, appears more inspired by
international combat than domestic. Those who watch Everton will argue
Rooney has much to learn. Those in thrall to England will thrill to Rooney's
impact.
And what of Cole? England's feisty left-back warrants censure for serial
impertinence to officials and occasional wreckless challenges, yet going
forward the Arsenal flyer must be acknowledged as a gem to treasure,
particularly as England possess no natural width down that particular flank.
One solution which Eriksson has yet to consider could be provided by the
cocky Middlesbrough left-winger, Stewart Downing, who can run all day, beat
a man and whip in a cross. Only 19, Downing has plenty to learn and if
listens to his bright manager, Steve McClaren, he may develop into an
England international.
The left-sided conundrum remains unanswered for now, Gerrard earmarked for a
tucked-in role there at Euro 2004. Other concerns include enduring defensive
frailties and the occasional concern that David James may misjudge a cross
or corner at a pivotal moment. But with Eriksson in charge, and Owen,
Beckham, Gerrard and Scholes in the side, England will fancy their chances
against the elite three of Italy, Portugal and Pires's France this summer.