Sven in "I wont quit" shocker

[Fox 4 Life]

I won't resign - Eriksson

Sven-Goran Eriksson has vowed not to resign following England's defeat to Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualifier in Belfast.

Travelling fans were heard chanting for Eriksson's dismissal at the end of the game settled by David Healy's winner.

When asked about the fans' chants, the England boss said: "Understandable. If you lose to Northern Ireland, I can't argue with that."

Then he was asked whether his job was in jeopardy, to which he responded: "That's up to you gentleman (in the media) and the FA. I'm not going to resign - I'm going to try to make it right in October."

England need wins in their remaining games against Austria and Poland to guarantee qualification to the finals in Germany.

Reflecting on the embarrassing defeat, he added: "For 35 minutes we played exactly how we wanted to play, after that we lost our patience, and our spirit."

When asked if this was his lowest point as England manager he said: "Yes, because it is a qualifying game and we should not lose, we should not even draw.

"I'm very sorry, disappointed - as the players are. Sorry for the fans, they want us to play better football and win, of course."

[Libertine]

He's to bloody stubborn to resign.

Can't blame him though, seeing as he's on 4m a year.

[Anish]

Indeed. Why would he walk away from his fortune? And we all know that he's not a decent man from his past indiscretions, so that line of thought ain't right either.

The FA have wasted more than £4million on the new Wembley with all the delays, so they can afford to terminate Sven's contract. But they won't have the balls.

[Bert]

Indeed. Why would he walk away from his fortune? And we all know that he's not a decent man from his past indiscretions, so that line of thought ain't right either.

The FA have wasted more than £4million on the new Wembley with all the delays, so they can afford to terminate Sven's contract. But they won't have the balls.

Well His record in competetitive games is awesome, and although i would prefer an englishman in charge we cant sack him before the world cup, because that would put our "bid" in tatters

[Fox 4 Life]

Sorry but he is doing a good job himself of putting our bid in tatters! he has no tactical knowledge I can only hope this loss gives him a kick up the ass! He obvously heard the fans chanting sven out so at least he knows he needs 2 do sumfin fast!

[Nationwider]

113= Lebanon

113= Moldova

115 El Salvador

116= Northern Ireland

116= Azerbaijan

118 St. Lucia

119 Hong Kong

There's the world rankings, Sven. Explain away.

[Samu]

Last year I saw China beat Hong Kong 7-0. Hong Kong were absoultely awful and to be sitting just below Northern Island shows what a disgraceful performance tonights was.

[Nationwider]

Last year I saw China beat Hong Kong 7-0. Hong Kong were absoultely awful and to be sitting just below Northern Island shows what a disgraceful performance tonights was.

N.I played well, to be fair - well organised and motivated. England were mentally not right and tactically were unbelieveably poor.

I even, so, agree totally. Abject is the word.

[Steven]

Indeed. Why would he walk away from his fortune? And we all know that he's not a decent man from his past indiscretions, so that line of thought ain't right either.

The FA have wasted more than £4million on the new Wembley with all the delays, so they can afford to terminate Sven's contract. But they won't have the balls.

I am sure the FA have been worse by trying to smear him with his affair with that tart (mind he is obviously a slag as well). The Turk in local kebab shop said that Sven was no good as the English need an Englishman in charge. I pointed out to him that the fact that he is a turnip, sorry Swede , does not matter, he is not a good coach. So is it with his shagging, it is only relevant if Sven starts losing.

[Gené and Tonic]

Just leave before you ruin the best England team we've had for a long time!!

Loosing to Northern Ireland is not acceptable, I could comprehend a Rebublic of Ireland loss, but this is rediculous. Face it Sven, your crap.

[cisono]

I sympathise with you guys.

I would be fuming if Italy lost to Northern Ireland (though the parallel does not quite hold) - or Hong Kong for that matter.

Don't shoot me now, but these things do happen once in a while.

What is more interesting is why did they happen this time? Why were England so unrecognisable?

Does anyone want to attempt a reply?

(And please, do not just say "because Sven is our manager" and/or "he is crap" and/or "he is Swede" as that - itself - does not explain it... he's been around for a while as England manager and England have played much better than this under him).

PS: Perhaps Sweden (or someone else) are paying him millions to get England out of the competitions in the qualifying stages? [conspiracy theory-style reply ]. Just trying to cheer you up!

[Darth Fox]

Getting rid of Sven will help your team but to be honest you are massively overated as a team. On paper good players but as a unit you are poo and to be honest to many players don't care about playing for England. Maybe a English national manager will give u the passion Smith has gave Scotland.

[breadandcheese]

I sympathise with you guys.

I would be fuming if Italy lost to Northern Ireland (though the parallel does not quite hold) - or Hong Kong for that matter.

Don't shoot me now, but these things do happen once in a while.

What is more interesting is why did they happen this time? Why were England so unrecognisable?

Does anyone want to attempt a reply?

(And please, do not just say "because Sven is our manager" and/or "he is crap" and/or "he is Swede" as that - itself - does not explain it... he's been around for a while as England manager and England have played much better than this under him).

PS: Perhaps Sweden (or someone else) are paying him millions to get England out of the competitions in the qualifying stages? [conspiracy theory-style reply ]. Just trying to cheer you up!

The way I saw it, we lost last night because we did not set-out a team to play to our strengths. It was obvious that this game would be like an FA Cup game (i.e. minnow out to play with pride, hoping to do the impossible), so it was obvious how Northern Ireland would line up i.e. a well organised 4-4-2 with everyone having one simple job to do (i.e. defenders tackle and hoof away from the dangerzone, midfielders fight and jostle the English midfield not giving them any time or space, attackers lead the line and try and knock the ball down to the wingers or sniff off any chances). We knew Northern Ireland would be well-organised, we were however were not.

Which leads me to my next point, the tactics.

Upfront, we nullified ourselves. Rooney, our best forward was stuck out on the left from which he posed no danger and struggled to get involved. This boiled over into his petulant display.

Owen (a small attacker, incapable of heading or holding-up the ball) was isolated playing by himself upfront. Owen always plays better with a partner. The 4-3-3 formation only works at Man U because they have a large striker who can hold can hold the ball up. If playing Owen or Defoe, you have to play another striker alongside them.

Playing Beckham in front of the back four was exposed by Davis who had time to play a delicate little chip to Healy (who made a great curving run to stay onside - well played Healy)

Our full-backs just did not get forward (which may be something to do with the fact that Beckham does not provide the back four with enough protection so they had to stay back, less they be exposed). Conversely, it may be that they both had a bad game and couldn't get past the half-way line.

When the 4-5-1/4-3-3 wasn't working he should have changed it sooner (even possibly going to a 3-5-2 with Ashley Cole as a left wingback - thus preserving Beckham in the middle for him).

At the end of the day, Sven reminds me of a World War 1 general. He sets the team up for a stroll over the trenches before retiring to his base well behind enemy lines, watching the drama unfold. By the time events are skidding into disaster, he is powerless to stop them and has few ideas of how to change them. Last night, by the final whistle, I had no idea as to our tactics or who was playing where.

In my mind his biggest flaw is that he does not organise a team properly. I don't care what anybody tells me. Footballers are not geniuses. They are not mentally capable of doing many jobs on a football field. All they want is to be told to do one job so that they can concentrate on doing that well. N.Ireland were a perfect example of that last night, as were MON's Leicester Team back in the glory days. Each player knows his role and will do it well. Keep football simple and well organised. That way, a team becomes more than the sum of its parts.

Instead, Sven complicates it all. Shame really because we have one of the best squads in English history.

It is no surprise that Sven doesn't want to quit. If he resigns he gets less of a pay-off. His past record with employers would indicate he fights for his money. All this from a coach who's only major success in world football (the scudetto with Lazio) ended up crippling the club from his buying of top players at huge prices.

At the end of the day, we are in one of the easiest qualifying groups (just ask Ireland). We could get rid of Sven tomorrow and still qualify. Conversely, we could keep Sven and still qualify. I just think that we will never achieve greatness with this England team in a World Cup Final with Sven in charge. He does not have the ability. At this stage in qualifying after 4 years, Sven should know his best team. At the moment, it seems he doesn't have a clue.

There, rant over. Apologies for this but last night really annoyed me.

[Anish]

At the end of the day, we are in one of the easiest qualifying groups (just ask Ireland). We could get rid of Sven tomorrow and still qualify. Conversely, we could keep Sven and still qualify. I just think that we will never achieve greatness with this England team in a World Cup Final with Sven in charge. He does not have the ability. At this stage in qualifying after 4 years, Sven should know his best team. At the moment, it seems he doesn't have a clue.

Summed it up perfectly there

[Hitesh]

This is where the problem lies i think. The media is straight away looking at Sven because they love their precious David Beckham. I beleive it was Beckham who wanted to play with the 4-5-1 formation just to save his own place in the team. I know he is a good set-peice player and can pass etc, but with Gerrard and Lampard playing the way they have been and SWP playing well, Beckham maybe felt threatened. I also say this because when we have played 4-4-2, DB has struggled and had crap games! Even with the diamond formation! Beckham had a big influence in that aswell!

However, i also blame Sven is some part because he wont be asertive or wasnt for that matter in dropping Beckham. He was scared of the players or the FA. He doesnt seem to have a clue anymore, because he is trying to please all the inividuals in the team! HE should be taking control, playing the system and players HE wants!! I think he has been pathetic but i dont see why he should be sacked. The FA need to have a word with him!!! Ive said this several times, sacking him now wont help England for the World Cup. You might as well keep Sven and tell him to get his act together and win the World Cup rather than get a new man in, who has to build a system, get the players on his side and then before he knows it he has a World Cup to win. There isnt enough time. And i dont think Steve McLaren should be the next manager because he is doing the same thing as Sven, if not a bit more managing! And look where its getting us!

[Steven]

At the end of the day, we are in one of the easiest qualifying groups (just ask Ireland). We could get rid of Sven tomorrow and still qualify. Conversely, we could keep Sven and still qualify. I just think that we will never achieve greatness with this England team in a World Cup Final with Sven in charge. He does not have the ability. At this stage in qualifying after 4 years, Sven should know his best team. At the moment, it seems he doesn't have a clue.

There, rant over. Apologies for this but last night really annoyed me.

Fair play, fair rant.

[TrickyTrev]

£4 million punds a year on a 4 year contract. That is a £16 million pound pay off. I think you lot better get used to the idea of Sven sticking around until at least after the world cup.

Personally I think last nights defeat is just what england needed. Gerrard and Lampard, who has never had a good game for England, will have to get out of their comfort zone now. Beckham will accept he is not a quarter back and with any luck we will never go into another match not building the team around wayne Rooney playing a central postion.

[Thracian]

The fans could show what they think by staying away from the next match. They won't but they could.