TNT Sports
Beckham: No player power
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Published 02/09/2005 at 17:26 GMT+1
David Beckham says England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will not bow to player power over his tactics for Saturday's World Cup qualifier with Wales. Eriksson has been under fire in the British media after a 4-1 friendly defeat in Denmark 2 weeks ago and re
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Beckham told a news conference on Friday that Eriksson, who guided England to quarter-finals at the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004, discussed matters with players before nearly every game.
"This happens all the time ... this 'player power' thing comes up all the time (in the media). I think a little bit more respect should be shown to the manager," Beckham said.
"At the end of the day he does what he wants and what he thinks is best for the team."
Eriksson described the reports as "rubbish", saying: "Since 1976 I have had meetings with my players. If I don't talk to the players who do I talk to?
"I had a meeting with three players but what we discussed I prefer to talk about tomorrow rather than today."
Eriksson is expected to switch tactics from the usual 4-4-2, which failed against Denmark, to a 4-5-1 with Wayne Rooney alone up front in the absence of the suspended Michael Owen.
Though he would not give details, the Swede denied he was being panicked into any changes.
NO PANIC
"It's an important part of my job to look at the video of what we did in Copenhagen, particularly in the second half, and to try and find solutions and see if we can do it better by using the same organisation -- or not," he said.
"Do I look like I panic?," he asked reporters. "Absolutely not. No chance."
Eriksson said his players, all of whom are fit, were anxious to make amends for the dismal showing in Denmark.
"When you lose badly, you want a game as soon as possible. They've had games with their club teams but they want to show that with an England shirt on. I'm sure about that."
Beckham was on the same wavelength and said England would not underestimate a Wales side with only two points from six qualifiers.
"It's up to us now to go out there and perform," he said. "We can't have another performance like we did in Denmark.
"We have to prove to people that we are the players who can take our country through to the World Cup."
"We can't afford the complacency of going into this game and not performing to 100 percent. We have to think we're playing the world champions."
England, on 16 points from six games, are two points behind Group Six leaders Poland with a game in hand, while the Welsh have only pride at stake on Saturday.
"They might not be able to qualify but at the end of the day we need to qualify and we need to win this group. And tomorrow's the start of it."
Beckham would not discuss formations but said he would willingly play in any midfield role and added: "One thing will not change -- we will be going out to win."
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