England National Football Team Match No. 832

England 1 Austria 0  [1-0]

Saturday, 8 October 2005

England Pre-Match

All information is complete to and including England's last match, the the third of the 2005-06 season, against Northern Ireland on 7 September 2005.

Notes

Friday, 7 October 2005 - Sven-Göran Eriksson  admits it would be "unacceptable" for England to fail to reach the 2006 World Cup in Germany.  He said: "It is not acceptable not to qualify - you can't even think about England not being at the World Cup.  We are going to qualify and that's it. It is dangerous to think 'if'. In my head that doesn't exist."  He admitted his players were still feeling the pain of the defeat at Windsor Park.  "I think it should hurt. It's one month since we played Northern Ireland and it's been a very long month.  It has been a long month, especially for me. I didn't have any other games to be involved in. The players had matches.  We must win the match against Austria and then see what happens after that."  And he insisted he still enjoys his job as England boss.  He said: "I enjoy it very much but enjoy it more when we win games and not lose football games. It's the same when you are a club manager and you are criticised. It's only when you are with England that it's like a new world war.  My feelings are we are going to have a good performance and qualify for the World Cup."  Meanwhile, according to The Mirror newspaper, David Beckham has handed the responsibility of taking penalties over to Frank Lampard.  Eriksson is also set to prefer Sol Campbell to Rio Ferdinand in defence against Austria.  Ferdinand was tipped to start the match after being paired with John Terry in training this week, but it is understood that Campbell will be chosen.  It would be the first time Eriksson has ever dropped 26-year-old Ferdinand for a competitive fixture.

Thursday, 6 October 2005 - David Beckham trained today after his delayed arrival.  Michael Owen also completed the session to prove his fitness.  The pair are now set to take their places in the team for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Austria.  It leaves boss Sven-Göran Eriksson with no injury worries is set to pick Rio Ferdinand ahead of Sol Campbell, at least according to reports.  Ferdinand is set to partner John Terry at centre-half - even though Ferdinand has spoken about his own poor form.   Jamie Carragher is poised to replace the injured Ashley Cole at left-back.  Striker Peter Crouch is tipped to start alongside Michael Owen on Saturday in place of the suspended Wayne Rooney.  Eriksson said earlier this week that he had already made up his mind who to play in the centre of defence.  And the England coach is poised to revert to a 4-4-2 formation against Austria after his experiment with playing 4-5-1 against Northern Ireland.

Tuesday, 4 October 2005 - Ashley Cole has withdrawn from the England squad after suffering a stress fracture of his foot.  Liverpool left-back Stephen Warnock has been called up in his place. David Beckham missed training on Tuesday to be with his ill son Romeo but will join the squad on Wednesday.  Beckham stayed in Madrid on Tuesday as his son underwent hospital tests.  Striker Michael Owen was also absent as he recovers from the dead leg that forced him to force Newcastle's game against Portsmouth on Saturday - but he is expected to be fit to play.  Eriksson said that the loss of Cole was a blow but that he had plenty of alternatives.  The last time Cole was unavailable - against Sweden in a friendly in March last year - Carragher played at left-back in a match England lost 1-0.  Eriksson said that he had already made up his mind who to play in the centre of defence - with John Terry, Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand all in contention.  Tuesday's training session took place at Manchester United's Carrington training complex, but several players who were in action on Sunday took part in a recovery session rather than full training.

Sunday, 2 October 2005 - Sven-Göran Eriksson has recalled Alan Smith and Sol Campbell to the 24-man England squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.  Smith, who has been utilised as a midfielder at Old Trafford this season, played in both England's matches in the summer Tour of the USA and last scored for the Three Lions in a friendly against Portugal three years ago.  For central defender Campbell the call-up to the England squad comes on the back of an excellent run of form following a return from long-term injury.  England would seem to have an embarrassment of riches at centre back as along with Campbell, Eriksson can call on John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Ledley King and Jamie Carragherl.  Charlton Athletic duo Darren Bent and Luke Young retain their places in the squad.  Bent has enjoyed an outstanding start to the season whilst Young has the chance to add to his haul of caps after playing in four of England's last five matches.  Along with Bent there are four other strikers in the squad, though Wayne Rooney is suspended for the match against Austria.  Those players unavailable for selection due to injury include Gary Neville, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick.

Friday, 30 September 2005 - Michael Owen limped out of Newcastle United training.  He should be fit for England's World Cup qualifiers.

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CG