N Ireland v England: A narrow formation for a narrow pitch. England are set to give their 4-3-3 system another trial in this evening's World Cup qualifier on a Windsor Park surface that has had about five yards lopped off it.
That traditional gambit is supposed to cramp the style of a stronger opponent, but England will feel comfortable thanks to the return from suspension of Michael Owen, who missed Saturday's 1-0 victory over Wales in Cardiff.
Owen's reintroduction seems to be coming at the expense of Joe Cole, despite his winner against Wales. The position on the left of the attack should go to Wayne Rooney, although he will aim to tuck in and work closely with Owen. On the other flank, Shaun Wright-Phillips can expect to operate more as an orthodox winger.
On Saturday the 4-3-3 method brought benefits primarily for David Beckham, who should again relish his role as a sort of quarterback in deep midfield. Sven-Goran Eriksson thinks his captain can sculpt a game from there and drew a comparison with Milan's Andrea Pirlo. So far as the rest of the players go, the manager must believe that they need to practise 4-3-3 if it is to be a viable alternative in future.
Eriksson is exasperated that there is so much desire to establish England's intentions. Brazil may be the only side whose plans and team selection are subjected to greater discussion. All the same, England should proceed smoothly enough. Wins against Northern Ireland and Austria, at Old Trafford on October 8th, would guarantee Eriksson's men a place at the World Cup finals as, if all else fails, one of the two best runners-up from the European groups.
Displaying faith in his core personnel has been the essence of his approach, but he would not confirm publicly that his vice-captain Owen was to start the match at Windsor Park.
"If (he were) selected my only concern is that he might not be able to run for 90 minutes," said the manager. "If he is 100 per cent fit the team would be weaker without him."
The manager, though, did place a reassuring hand on Owen's shoulder as training was about to begin. Eriksson had been troubled about the forward's circumstances prior to the move to Newcastle. "It's going to be very important, from Saturday on, for him to play regularly," the manager said with relief of Owen's forthcoming debut for the St James's Park club.
It still appears sensible to let him start this evening's match and possibly make an impact during its formative phase. When he was banned, it was precisely a lack of Owen's marksmanship that subjected England to that trying 1-0 victory in Wales.
Cole is expected to be sacrificed. Eriksson still lauds the manner in which he has matured this year, but the Chelsea player's last two displays with England have been weak.
Few others need dread the axe. The manager did comment on Frank Lampard's laboured start to the season and the after-effects of injury on Steven Gerrard, only to add that they are too good to be ditched.
An adjustment is anticipated. Gerrard will probably be on the left of the midfield trio this time, where he can forge a link with Rooney.
Eriksson promises an improvement from England, who will not have so much ground to cover as they did on the Millennium Stadium's vast pitch or suffer from the mid-afternoon heat of Cardiff. The standards players reach generally count for more than the tactics they are given.
Guardian Service
