Ian Clarkson bemoans the state of England's World Cup campaign...
It is preposterous to suggest that England might have to go through the rigmarole of a play-off to qualify for the World Cup finals in Germany next summer. If they fail to beat Austria today, that is the grim reality facing Sven-G?ran Eriksson.
The England head coach could hardly have cherry picked an easier World Cup qualifying group yet England?s ?golden generation? remain in danger of producing a monumental and disastrous cock-up. It is not just Eriksson?s reputation on the line at Old Trafford.
Even if you believe that the Premiership is over-hyped, it is still ludicrous to claim England should have done anything other than romp away with their group.
This isn?t English arrogance rearing its ugly head but simple fact when you look at the depth of talent and rich options available to the man paid #4 million a year.
Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, John Terry and Frank Lampard are all proven players on the club European scene and should form the core of a successful unit, so why were they so abject in Denmark, Wales and Northern Ireland?
One of the biggest crimes that Eriksson has committed is trying to force round pegs into square holes.
Most players are not comfortable when forced to play in a multitude of positions. Gerrard?s body language has looked awful in the last two qualifiers and he isn?t a holding midfield player. Nor is Lampard and David Beck-ham most certainly isn?t.
Rooney isn?t a left-winger, as Alex Ferguson has finally conceded at Manchester United, while Jamie Carragher isn?t a left-back.
No one is questioning the commitment of these players but if you are constantly told to perform a role with which you are not comfortable, then the demons inside your mind start to run riot and you become racked with self-doubt. It appears such is happening to some in the England squad.
Eriksson is primarily a one-trick pony for whom a 4-4-2 formation may work best. That in itself isn?t a problem; whether it will win you a World Cup in these days of congested midfields is a bone of contention. His attempts to try out new systems have been a disaster.
You get the impression that Eriksson believes tactics are mints that come in a see-through box, as he has left potentially world-class play-ers dazed and confused.
Northern Ireland played a bog standard British 4-4-2 and unsettled England, yet Eriksson was scared of upsetting players and adopting a like-for-like system that would surely have seen England win.
But is Eriksson the only problem at England?s helm? Steve McClaren plays a prominent role and he is never shy to operate with just a lone striker at Middlesbrough.
In his defence he has won the Carling Cup at Middlesbrough, but he has invested huge sums of money to bring
home that solitary prize.
Apparently, fans at the Riverside are up in arms about the perceived negativity of McClaren?s safety-first football and that is seeping through into England?s performances - Northern Ireland was the prime example.
This tactical wizard isn?t fooling anyone with his vision of the way forward for English football and it has stalled at the starting blocks.
It was noticeable that in a recent poll he was well down the pecking order as a future England manager and he has
seen the light by tying himself to a long-term deal at the Riverside.
He may only be guilty by association but Eriksson?s input on the training ground appears minimal, so it would be folly to dismiss McClaren?s role in Sven?s coterie.
Austria need to be respected today, as do all teams, but is it too much to ask for a high-tempo performance, or are those now redundant in international football?
I am a great believer in adopting a horses for courses policy and, against the top teams, you may have to concede ground and possession.
However, surely England can impose their own style on an Austrian team in turmoil.
Eriksson?s get out of jail card has arrived in the form of Terry. The robust centre-half is a born leader and, by his sheer force of character, dominates opponents.
His return, coupled with the coach placing square pegs in square holes, should prove sufficient to beat Austria and the return of Rooney next week should also see off Poland.
England fans don?t expect miracles but we are entitled to coherent performances in our final two group games.
