England will silence the critics
England's players and coach Sven-Goran Eriksson enter the World Cup qualifying double-header against Wales and Northern Ireland on the back of a critical mauling for their efforts in defeat in Denmark.
Let me make my view clear. The 4-1 loss in Copenhagen was irrelevant. Totally and unequivocally meaningless.
I am completely confident that by next Wednesday England will be six points closer to World Cup qualification and Denmark will be completely forgotten.
England have a mediocre record in friendlies, and even in what people called the "good" first 45 minutes against Denmark, you could tell seven or eight players did not want to be there.
Eriksson's side are not like Brazil. They cannot operate at 70% efficiency and get away with it.
At the start of the season, players are struggling for fitness and the last thing they want is to go and play a friendly match.
It would be better if England actually did not play these matches, but from a financial point of view they have to play them.
The preferred option would probably be for Eriksson to take the players away for two or three days for some bonding and team spirit, train, work on some moves and maybe play a behind-closed-doors game.
James was honest to admit he had not prepared properly for Denmark - but you hang yourself saying things like that
Club managers would go for that as well because their players would be away in a relaxed environment and there would be no chance of any unwelcome injuries.
I now expect a fully-motivated England side to show their full potential and dispose of Wales and Northern Ireland.
Having said I regarded the Denmark game as meaningless, it certainly meant something for David James and Glen Johnson, who appear to have lost their places in the squad as a direct result of their performances.
Johnson is only a kid and he will come back, but James cannot be so sure of a return.
He attracted criticism for his performance, and also for his admission that he did not prepare properly.
Preparation for any game is all-important, and if you admit yours was not right, you hang yourself.
It was honest - but in this case I'm not sure honesty was the best policy.
David's best hope is that England are not blessed with an abundance of goalkeepers and Eriksson is just giving him a slap on the wrist.
Wales' best hope of getting a result is to get in and about England backed by a passionate home crowd.
This, for me, was the big disappointment of England's win at Old Trafford - Wales just didn't compete enough.
One player who could do that is Robbie Savage, but his Wales career is over.
I think there was a bit of history before John Toshack took over, so I wouldn't necessarily blame John, but Savage's absence could be felt in a game like Saturday's.
So, for all the criticism England and Eriksson received after the Denmark game, I expect them to respond with two victories in the World Cup qualifiers.
Eriksson demands maximum points
Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson believes England can not afford anything another than a victory in Saturday's World Cup qualifying match against Wales.
Eriksson said: "Wales are the underdogs and they will be desperate to beat us. If we do not have the right attitude, we will not win well.
"Derby games are always very dangerous, so we have to be very prepared.
"If we want to win the group we can not drop any points before we meet Poland, as I think they will win their games."
Eriksson has also identified Manchester United's Ryan Giggs as the biggest threat to England in Cardiff.
The England coach said: "Giggs is the most experienced player they have, he's always dangerous whether he plays on the flank or behind one or two strikers."
A win in Cardiff could take England back to the top of Group Six but Eriksson knows his team will need to show an improvement in attitude after their 4-1 defeat in the friendly against Denmark in Copenhagen.
Eriksson said: "If the attitude is not absolutely right, then something is really wrong.
"Every time England go out on the pitch three points are expected. I suppose we are favourites but you have to live with those very high expectations."
Eriksson set to rethink formation
Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is set to try out a new formation for England's World Cup qualifier in Wales on Saturday.
Eriksson may play a 4-5-1 system, with influential captain David Beckham in a deep-lying midfield position behind Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.
Joe Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips could play wide roles which would leave Wayne Rooney ploughing a lone furrow up front with Michael Owen suspended.
Jermain Defoe had been expected to take Owen's place in the starting line-up.
It is understood that the plan was discussed at a meeting between Eriksson and senior players on Tuesday.
The Swede was roundly criticised for England's lack of shape in their 4-1 friendly defeat in Denmark in August and has moved to improve the balance of the side.
Beckham had missed training on Tuesday but was involved a day later as he continued his recovery from a foot injury.
Gerrard's calf injury kept him out of action, but Eriksson was hopeful the Liverpool midfielder would be fit.
"Steven Gerrard did some good work on Tuesday, not with the other players but with the physio," said Eriksson.
"He will continue that on Wednesday. Hopefully on Thursday, he will train with us. The physio and doctor think he will be ready for Saturday."
But a knee injury to Chelsea defender John Terry is set to put him out for four to six weeks.
Fulham's Zat Knight has been called up as cover for Terry, but the Chelsea man's place is most likely to be taken by Liverpool's Jamie Carragher or Birmingham's Matthew Upson.
Jermaine Jenas, who has completed a £7m move to Tottenham from Newcastle, was training with the England squad, but Owen was in the north-east to seal his transfer to St James' Park.
