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Last Updated: Wednesday, 12 October 2005, 21:38 GMT 22:38 UK
Eriksson joy as England hit form

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was delighted with his side's return to form after their 2-1 win over Poland.

"We needed to turn our form around after starting the season so-so but now we are there again," said the Swede after his side topped Group Six.

"If we can keep this spirit and quality we will be very difficult to beat.

"We won the group and lost very few points in 10 matches and I'm extremely happy for the players and the staff," added Eriksson.

It's very good to have many options when you know that next summer you will play a lot of games in a short space of time
Sven-Goran Eriksson

"We wanted to try to win the ball as high up the pitch as possible and I think we did very well. It is difficult to do it for 90 minutes but I'm very happy after this game.

"I think Poland had one chance and scored. I don't know how many we had but it was a lot."

Shaun Wright-Phillips caused Poland problems down the right side of midfield and his performance impressed the Old Trafford crowd, who booed when he was taken off in favour of Peter Crouch.

Eriksson explained: "Wright-Phillips was absolutely excellent in the first half. He got a bad knock and he wasn't 100% right.

"It was the right decision to substitute him but I understand the reaction

"I don't know who was being booed, whether it was me or Crouch.

"Crouch is a good footballer. He had played just one and a half internationals before today. He has something other players don't. It is very harsh to judge him yet."

Ledley King was another who produced an eye-catching show in the holding midfield role.

I think we've answered a few questions
Frank Lampard

"Ledley King came on and did very well against Austria on Saturday and played excellent again," said Eriksson. "You can see he is very useful in that role, he's strong and very good on the ball.

"He's another option and it's very good to have many options when you know that next summer you will play a lot of games in a short space of time."

Frank Lampard believes the win was an ideal riposte to the some of the criticism aimed at the side.

"I think we've answered a few questions," said Lampard. "We took a bit of stick and no-one has criticised us more than ourselves.

"We thought we improved against Austria and against Poland we wanted to play with a lot of pace in our game and a lot of attacking verve.

"I think we did that and were unfortunate not to score more goals."

Striker Michael Owen cited Poland's tactics as one of the main reasons for a fluid England performance.

Owen was captain for the game and his opener saw him equal Gary Lineker's record of 22 goals in competitive matches for the national team.

"They came with a 4-4-2 and wanted to get a result which suited us," he said.

"When teams do that we can go at them but it's sometimes difficult when teams play so many defensive players."




WATCH AND LISTEN
Interview: England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson


Interview: England's Frank Lampard


Interview: England skipper Michael Owen




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