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McClaren v Eriksson

FRIENDLY APPROACH

McClaren quickly made his intentions clear by picking his strongest available team and emphasising the need for a good display. The small attendance reflected the status of friendlies under Eriksson. 4/5

The apparent lack of seriousness with which Eriksson treated friendlies made him enemies among spectators, who often felt as though they were paying to watch a lengthy training session. 1/5

TACTICS

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McClaren returned to 4-4-2 last night, using Frank Lampard at the head of a midfield diamond. In the absence of the injured Joe Cole, he fielded a more authentic winger in Stewart Downing. 4/5

A stickler for 4-4-2, Eriksson suddenly developed a liking for employing a sole striker during the World Cup finals, prompted partly by an injury to Michael Owen and a lack of alternatives. 3/5

BODY LANGUAGE

McClaren got up on his feet and barked orders at his new charges, then sat back, face contorted with anxiety. Even so, he remained phlegmatic as his reign began with a flood of goals. 3/5

Sat with his hands clasped, legs together and bottom glued to his seat in the dugout, Eriksson rarely managed a more dramatic movement than a nervous shuffle, regardless of the incidents on the pitch. 2/5

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SUBSTITUTIONS

As if to reassure Eriksson that not everything has been dismantled from his reign, McClaren reduced England to one striker for the last 20 minutes and used his full allocation of six substitutions. 2/5

Eriksson’s substitutions ranged from silly (11 at half-time against Australia) to circumspect. He would typically replace a striker with a midfield player to preserve a one-goal lead with half an hour left. 2/5

CROWD REACTION

McClaren walked along the touchline before the game shaking hands, but it was a half-hearted welcome. However, the goal glut meant that he received a standing ovation at the start of the second half. 3/5

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So cool was the relationship between Eriksson and the England fans that the rousing reception he received after his final home match, against Jamaica in June, came as a great surprise. 2/5

THE VERDICT

McCLAREN 16 ERIKSSON 10