An Enigma Wrapped In A Mystery Wrapped In A Swede
ENGLAND players perplexed by Erikssons substitutions, announces the Guardians sport supplement, explaining that Englands senior players are beginning to express doubts about the enigmatic Swedes bizarre tactics and selections.
So who are these senior players? Only one of them is actually named, but hes a real heavyweight. Its Sir Bobby Robson the kind of senior player whose opinions are based on a wealth of international experience. Admittedly, his last game for the national side was in May 1962.
But he certainly knows what hes talking about, even if his somewhat opaque verbalisations tend to hide his meaning from others.
Unfortunately for Eriksson, Sir Bobby has chosen this particular occasion to be uncharacteristically clear and concise. I couldnt believe it, he says simply, when asked about Svens idiosyncratic use of Stewart Downing and Joe Cole during the second half of Englands opening match.
And as if Svens antics on Saturday werent strange enough, theres the baffling decision to send back Jermain Defoe.
The Telegraph reports that Defoe was understood to have been sensational in his final training session before flying home, and the Spurs striker has been expressing his disappointment and disbelief to anyone wholl listen, including the News of the World.
Defoes departure leaves Eriksson with four forwards: Peter Crouch, Michael Owen, Theo Walcott and You-Know-Who. Peter Crouch is doing well, but needs a suitable partner in order to be effective. Michael Owen is clearly unfit and out of sorts. Theo Walcott has never played in a full international or even a Premiership match, and Eriksson says he needs more time, more training before he is ready to play in the World Cup. All things considered, it is looking increasingly likely that Wayne Rooney will make his return sooner rather than later.
The imminent return of the saviour has sent the hacks into frenzy, and some are even suggesting that he could play in Thursdays game against Trinidad and Tobago.
Rooney himself is said to be desperate to get stuck in, although we are told that hes not taking any chances. That would be sweet music for Alex Fergusons ears, were it not for the fact that Rooneys idea of not taking chances seems to involve hurling himself into tackles with no regard for his own safety or anybody elses.
One way in which he does appear to be taking no chances is by ensuring that Theo Walcott has no chance of keeping him out of the side. The Sun reports that young Walcott was clattered by wild Roon during training an incident observed by Lee Sharpe, who confirmed that Rooney didnt seem to be holding back and smashed Theo from behind.
The Mirror confirms the story, with pictures of Walcott limping around with his leg bandaged while his girlfriend, for reasons best known to herself, is grinning from ear to ear.
Rooneys return is a genuine cause for rejoicing, but as he puts himself about like a hyperactive kick-boxer, he should remember that those who live by the sword often die by it too.
The nightmare scenario is that Rooney returns to a heros welcome, only to be crocked once more.
Sir Bobby Robson is certainly worried about this, and has been confiding his fears to the good people of Radio Five Live. According to the Telegraph, he told the station that you cant say that an opposition centre-half is not going to think about the opportunity of standing on Rooneys bad foot.
Well, it is possible to not say it, Sir Bobby. But given that you decided to say it on national radio, well just have to hope that no opposition centre-halves were listening.
As they used to say in your day: careless talk costs toes
Posted: 12th, June 2006 | In: Back pages Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
