Eriksson scraps diamond
Fri 04 Jun, 4:38 PM
 
MANCHESTER (Reuters) - England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is going to switch his entire midfield system of play in Saturday's friendly with Iceland, a week before facing holders France in their Euro 2004 opener.
 
Eriksson said the diamond-shape midfield England had successfully used since their opening qualifier against Slovakia in 2002 would be scrapped in favour of a classic 4-4-2.
 
Eriksson, who put the idea into practice in Friday's final training session at Carrington, told reporters: "Tomorrow 4-4-2 to start with...I think we need to look at both (systems) because we might need it in the tournament.
 
"So why not use one system against Japan and another against Iceland. I think it's a good opportunity. Then we'll decide game by game what to do.
 
"If you play a flat four, you'll play as France are playing, at least from the games I have seen."
 
Eriksson denied the move would be unwelcome by players.
 
"We played 4-4-2 years ago and did it very well, then we played diamond and did that very well. I don't think they are that worried about what we do. They are happy to try both."
 
Asked if the last-minute change before Euro 2004 sent a message of indecision to the coaches of Group B rivals France, Switzerland and Croatia, he said: "If that's the case, very good.
 
"If they think we are not secure about what to do and we're nervous, let them believe that."
 
The switch to a system that England had abandoned in the absence of a naturally left-sided midfielder will help to accommodate Frank Lampard, who will get his familiar role at Chelsea back after being given a defensive job against Japan.
 
It will also mean that Steven Gerrard can come in from the left of England's diamond to his more usual slot in central midfield with Liverpool.
 
The sacrifice will probably be made by Paul Scholes, who would switch from the attacking role to the left wing.
 
"He played in that role many times for Manchester United," Eriksson countered. "Paul Scholes can play everywhere."
 
Eriksson said he will make two changes on Saturday to his starting XI from Tuesday's 1-1 draw Japan, though there will be wholesale changes at halftime.
 
Keeper Paul Robinson will start in place of David James, while John Terry is likely to be rested for a minor hamstring problem and replaced by Jamie Carragher in central defence.

 
Cristiano Ronaldo dans la capitale? (Getty Images)  
04/06/2004. Verra-t-on prochainement le dribbleur portugais Cristiano Ronaldo sur les pelouses de Ligue 1? Pas impossible, puisqu'un prêt d'un an est évoqué dans le cadre des négociations pour le transfert de Gabriel Heinze.
 
Manchester United cherche à faire baisser le montant exigé par le PSG pour son défenseur argentin. De source proche du club parisien, les Mancuniens envisageraient de prêter leur ailier portugais Cristiano Ronaldo au PSG la saison prochaine, moyennant une indemnité moins élevée pour Heinze.
 
Les Red Devils prendraient en charge une partie du salaire de Ronaldo, que Paris n'est pas en mesure d'assurer seul. Manchester est satisfait des services du joueur, auteur de 4 buts en 29 apparitions en Premier League, mais estimerait qu'un prêt pourrait être bénéfique pour le Portugais de 19 ans.
 
Cristiano Ronaldo serait pour sa part favorable à une expérience dans la capitale, qui lui donnerait notamment l'occasion de briller en compagnie de Pauleta.