England News

• Nickname:Three Lions
• Founded: 1872
• Manager:Roy Hodgson

• Ground:Wembley Stadium
• Capacity:90,000

Rio slams cautious Sven

06 Oct 2006 - 09:00:21

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Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand thinks Sven-Goran Eriksson's caution was to blame for England's disappointing World Cup campaign in Germany this summer.

England were castigated for their approach to games in the tournament before they eventually lost in a penalty shootout to Portugal in the quarter-finals.

"When you see all the best teams, you don't see them in a rigid formation. You see players drifting," said the former West Ham and Leeds United star.

"In the past, England teams have been too rigid in my view. Players have been put in positions and then that's it, you just do that and that's what's expected of you.

"We have to expect and demand a lot more of each other.

"It can come from all over the park. Obviously you don't just do it willy-nilly but I think we were over-cautious in our play - not just in the last World Cup but in most World Cups.

"We've been a lot more cautious than we should have been, whereas other teams throw caution to the wind a little bit and still get good results.

"I've always been brought up to be a free spirit playing football but it wasn't really encouraged under the last regime.

"It's about the team being a cohesive unit and that's what the manager is trying to get into this squad and his teams, being able to be fluid as a unit both attacking and defending.

"If we're going to be successful, then we're going to need to do that.

"We haven't won a tournament and that's what you get judged on. We haven't got to the semi-final or the final. I don't think it's unfair.

"If it gets personal it's unfair but, in terms of looking at it in black and white, I wouldn't say it's unfair."