Sven's New Outlook

Sven-Goran Eriksson may have doubts about the direction of England's World Cup campaign - but if he does he is hiding them behind a brilliant disguise.

Eriksson must never bear comparison to the brilliant Sir Alf Ramsey, the single-minded genius behind England's only triumph
in the game's greatest showpiece in 1966.

But, as with Ramsey 40 years ago, the Swede is standing his ground against suggestions that his game-plan is muddled and misguided and his optimism misplaced.

He is firm in his belief that England can win the World Cup in the face of under-whelming evidence.

In Stuttgart on Saturday, Eriksson came as close as he ever will to rounding on an inquisitor who suggested - perfectly reasonably it should be said - that if England repeat their second-half show against Sweden they would lose their last 16 clash against Ecuador.

Eriksson asked: "How do you live your life? Always so negative."

It was, by Eriksson's standards, almost an outburst.

He went on to state his cast-iron belief that England would beat Ecuador and that in the searing heat of Germany, his team had the best opportunity they may ever get to win the World Cup.

Eriksson's bullish outlook to this tournament, in sharp contrast to his ice-cool demeanour of years past, has been portrayed as either the actions of a de-mob happy loose cannon or of a coach convinced his day of destiny is at hand.

Rarely has Eriksson sounded so positive or exuded confidence so clearly in his body language.
It flies in the face of all we have witnessed from England's three World Cup games so far and may yet be undone by events in Stuttgart on Sunday afternoon.

But if Eriksson's public confidence is mirrored in the attitude of his players, then England may yet confound those of us who have looked without success for signs that they are world champions-in-waiting.

Eriksson the stone-faced has become Eriksson the joker, deflecting questions about his team selection by declaring: "Congratulations - you are trying...the question is good but you know I will not answer it."

And Eriksson the cautious has become Eriksson the gambler, preparing to revive the immediate international ambitions of Michael Carrick in a bid to get the best out of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, while at the same time trying to spark the dormant David Beckham into life.
It is a fascinating exercise to watch Eriksson at this World Cup, happy to brush off his critics with an apparently unshakeable self-belief in his squad.

But the Swede knows that from now on every England game may be his last. He will either be derided as an expensive luxury item who failed to deliver the big prize or he will write his name alongside Ramsey in history.

Strange as it may seem to those of us who have watched England stumble their way around this World Cup campaign, Eriksson appears to believe he is on the latter course.

From : BBC