WORLD CUP 2006
England Interview: Player - Michael Owen
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What is the team’s greatest strength?
The best thing we have going for us is that the vast majority of the squad have been together for a few years now; that’s important because it has brought continuity. With a couple of exceptions most of the squad went to the last World Cup and we have been able to build up a good understanding and unity. I think we are capable of playing good, high-tempo, English-type football but with some added quality that enables us to compete with the top nations. You cannot forget either the never-say-die attitude that has always been a feature of England teams.
What are the biggest improvements since 2002?
I think we have proved that we are now more capable of coming from behind to win games. Also, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney have emerged as world-class players, which has improved the squad enormously. It’s such a shame that Wayne may not make it.
What was the hardest part of the qualifying campaign?
Our defeat by Northern Ireland. It was the first time England had lost in Belfast for 78 years and it put enormous pressure on us for the final two games, against Austria and Poland. Happily, we won both to finish top of the group. The lesson is that we must find some consistency and peak at the right time in Germany because, on our day, we know we can beat any country in the world.
How do you rate Sven Goran Eriksson?
Mr Eriksson has brought a calm assurance to the squad. He never gets carried away with victory and is never disheartened by defeat. He is a quiet and thoughtful man, and I have never seen him lose his temper in the dressing-room. He is very supportive of all his players and has never criticised any of them in public. He will have a quiet word with players in private if he feels the need. He is also a great organiser who pays attention to detail in preparing the squad tactically, mentally and physically for every game. If anyone doubts his ability as a coach they need only look at his record in qualifying games and tournament finals.
Why do England always attract so much criticism from the fans?
There is always a heavy weight of expectation on England’s shoulders because the media build us up so much before every
tournament, and that gets the supporters fired up. Then as soon as something goes wrong, they are on us like a ton of bricks. I can cope with that because I have lived with it all my professional life. We are capable of going all the way in Germany. Now we must turn potential into achievement.
If you reach the Final, which country would you like to face?
Brazil, because we owe them from 2002.
England Squad
1 GK ROBINSON Paul - (Tottenham Hotspur, ENG)
2 DF NEVILLE Gary - (Manchester Utd., ENG)
3 DF COLE Ashley - (Arsenal, ENG)
4 MF GERRARD Steven - (Liverpool, ENG)
5 DF FERDINAND Rio - (Manchester Utd., ENG)
6 DF TERRY John - (Chelsea, ENG)
7 MF BECKHAM David - (Real Madrid, ESP)
8 MF LAMPARD Frank - (Chelsea, ENG)
9 FW ROONEY Wayne - (Manchester Utd., ENG)
10 FW OWEN Michael - (Newcastle, ENG)
11 MF COLE Joe - (Chelsea, ENG)
12 DF CAMPBELL Sol - (Arsenal, ENG)
13 GK JAMES David - (Manchester City, ENG)
14 DF BRIDGE Wayne - (Chelsea, ENG)
15 DF CARRAGHER Jamie - (Liverpool, ENG)
16 MF HARGREAVES Owen - (Bayern Munich, GER)
17 MF JENAS Jermaine - (Tottenham Hotspur, ENG)
18 MF CARRICK Michael - (Tottenham Hotspur, ENG)
19 MF LENNON Aaron - (Tottenham Hotspur, ENG)
20 MF DOWNING Stewart - (Middlesbrough, ENG)
21 FW CROUCH Peter - (Liverpool, ENG)
22 GK GREEN Robert - (Norwich, ENG)
23 FW WALCOTT Theo - (Arsenal, ENG)
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