Extracted from MSNBC
LONDON (AP) - England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson thinks he has
finally discovered the correct roles for midfielders David Beckham,
Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.
He'll test out his new formation against Argentina on
Saturday.
Accused of blundering his way through qualifying for next year's
World Cup finals in Germany, the Swede appears to have won over
some of his critics.
Now, Eriksson said he is planning to field his strongest available
lineup against Argentina in Geneva.
"We are meeting one of the best teams in the world,'' Eriksson
said. "It's important for our confidence that we do well in this
game and important for the England fans as well. If they see we can
play good football against Argentina it gives us more hope for next
summer.''
Eriksson has had major problems trying to fit in his three favorite
midfielders. Now, he's set to play a 4-4-2 formation with Tottenham
defender Ledley King in a holding role.
Beckham is set to start on the right, Gerrard on the left and
Lampard behind a front two of Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney.
King debuted in his new role in last month's 2-1 World Cup
qualifying victory against Poland, which helped already-qualified
England win its group. He only played because Gerrard had a leg
muscle injury.
Although England now has several top center backs and a reliable
goalkeeper in Tottenham's Paul Robinson, the team's bid to win the
World Cup for the first time in 40 years may come down to how well
Rooney plays.
The Manchester United forward, who is only 20 but a Premier League
player for four seasons, has scored four goals in 11 Premier League
games and created several others. He is also willing to help out
his defenders.
One of Eriksson's rivals, Germany coach Juergen Klinsmann, warned
Tuesday that England should not expect too much of the young
striker.
"I hope that fans and the media do not burden him with the
expectations of an entire country,'' Klinsmann said. "He is
surrounded by other established and accomplished players, who can
and will, contribute to the team's performance.
"Wayne Rooney is, undoubtedly, one of the most talented young
players in the world today. Rooney is that rare player who appears
to play by intuition and is able to change the course of a game
with powerful runs, strong shooting and incisive passing.''
With many of his squad based in Europe, Argentina coach Jose
Pekerman can call upon the likes of Juan Roman Riquelme, Juan Pablo
Sorin and Roberto Ayala as well as striker Hernan Crespo, who plays
for English champion Chelsea.
England won't face teenage striker Lionel Messi, however.
The 18-year-old Barcelona star was ejected barely a minute into his
Aug. 18 debut - a 2-1 victory over Hungary - for elbowing an
opponent and is suspended.
England's games against Argentina became more intense than ever
after Diego Maradona's "Hand of God'' goal at the 1986 World Cup
finals.
The playmaker punched the ball into the net while jumping alongside
England goalkeeper Peter Shilton. Maradona also scored the other
goal in Argentina's 2-1 triumph in Mexico City, dribbling past
almost the entire England team.
Beckham was shown the red card during the 1998 World Cup meeting
which Argentina won on penalties. Four years later, his penalty in
Japan earned England a 1-0 victory in Sapporo.
Ledley King in holding midfield role...er....how about that...
