Fitness blues for England
MANCHESTER: Despite an ominous second-half display against Japan, Sven-Goran Eriksson is confident England will not run out of steam at Euro 2004 as they did at the 2002 World Cup.
Exhausted by a hard Premier League season and handicapped by injuries and absentees, England failed to score any second half goals in their run to the World Cup quarter-finals.
Tuesday's 1-1 friendly draw with Japan looked all too familiar as England faded after the break, conceding an equaliser and then flirting with an embarrassing defeat at the City of Manchester stadium.
Asked if there was a danger of history repeating itself when England open against holders France on June 13, Eriksson told reporters: “There are two answers to that.
“I've been fighting for two years to try to do something about it, to fight for a winter break. Hopefully it will come before the World Cup, the season after next (2005-06). We are playing too much football.
“Secondly, the fitness level of the squad we have today is much better than it was two years ago.
“I am positive, I am optimistic that we will score goals in the second half at Euro 2004 and play better than we did in the second half at the World Cup.
“We are better than two years ago.”
England head to Portugal with two players who missed out in 2002 because of injury, influential midfielder Steven Gerrard and experienced right back Gary Neville.
Skipper David Beckham, held back at the World Cup after breaking a bone in his foot, has an ankle problem which is not believed to be serious.
What is less clear is the make-up of England's midfield on June 13. Nicky Butt was dropped in favour of Frank Lampard for the defensive role against Japan with mixed results.
“Frank Lampard is very young and you can't expect him to know everything about football at his age,” Eriksson said. “But he's a clever player. I'm confident he can cope with it.”
A less attractive option for the holding position would be to use Gerrard, currently on the left of England's midfield diamond.
“When he went forward in the first half he was incredible,” said Eriksson after a Gerrard shot led to Michael Owen's opening goal on Tuesday.
“If he's a sitting midfielder, he can more or less never go up front. I'm sure in the future Steven Gerrard will be a sitting midfielder, a great one.
“At the same time, not using his power going forward is a pity.”
England, who will face Switzerland and Croatia after France in Group B, play their final pre-tournament friendly on Saturday against Iceland. – Reuters
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