TNT Sports
Toshack: Be afraid
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Published 02/09/2005 at 06:35 GMT+1
Wales manager John Toshack fears that England's recent defeat in Denmark has made his job even tougher as he prepares for the World Cup qualifier against Sven-Goran Eriksson's side on Saturday. The Welsh are expected to line up John Hartson up front ahead of Ryan Giggs.
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England are still smarting from their 4-1 friendly reverse in Copenhagen, a result that led to severe criticism of coach Eriksson and his team.
"A little bit of disappointment sharpens the senses and I don't think the result in Denmark has done us any favours," Toshack said.
"From a motivational point of view they only have to say one word to the players and I don't think it would help our cause. It was always going to be hard but it may even be a bit harder now."
England are reportedly considering a new 4-5-1 formation to prevent a repeat of the Denmark result, and Toshack, who is likely to play John Hartson up front with Ryan Giggs behind him, is not surprised.
"I've heard they may go to 4-5-1 and that's quite intelligent," he said. "They have probably looked at the way we set up and it wouldn't surprise me if that was the case.
"It wouldn't change my thinking. We will set up the way we have done for three of the last four matches."
Wales, already out of contention for the World Cup Finals, go into the match without striker Craig Bellamy and defender Mark Delaney but are taking heart from history.
"The last time the World Cup was in Germany, in 1974, England, Wales and Poland were also in the same group," Toshack said.
"And England didn't qualify because they couldn't beat Wales and Poland at home. I remember I scored at Wembley in a 1-1 draw.
"England will be hoping that doesn't repeat itself. It isn't easy for them, either. The Poles have won all their four away games and scored a dozen goals in the process and they will be feeling they also have a chance to win the group.
"In league terms we are already relegated, we can't reach the finals. But we can have a say in who goes through."
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