BACK TO ARCHIVE INDEX © All written site content is copyright ComeOnBoro.com 2004-2007, unless otherwise stated, and is not to be used without prior permission.	ENGLAND v MACEDONIA - SVEN CAUTION COST US Rio Ferdinand admits England's "over-cautious" approach cost them the chance to win the World Cup. The Manchester United defender believes Sven-Goran Eriksson's team lacked the flair and fluency needed to beat the best teams in the world. New boss Steve McClaren has spent this week experimenting with a 3-5-2 system in a bid to solve the problem and coax the best out of his under-achieving squad. Ferdinand, 27, said: "When you see all the best teams, you don't see them in a rigid formation. You see players drifting. "In the past, England teams have been too rigid in my view. "Players have been put in positions and then that's it, you just do that and that's what's expected of you. "We have to expect and demand a lot more of each other. "It can come from all over the park. Obviously you don't just do it willy-nilly but I think we were over-cautious in our play - not just in the last World Cup but in most World Cups. "We've been a lot more cautious than we should have been, whereas other teams throw caution to the wind a little bit and still get good results." Ferdinand has been handed his own role in trying to break England's rigid lines. The United centre-half has been encouraged to carry the ball out of defence and into midfield by McClaren and his assistant Terry Venables. Ferdinand said: "I've always been brought up to be a free spirit playing football but it wasn't really encouraged under the last regime. "It's about the team being a cohesive unit and that's what the manager is trying to get into this squad and his teams, being able to be fluid as unit both attacking and defending. "If we're going to be successful, then we're going to need to do that." Ferdinand admits the England team have flattered to deceive in the big tournaments and must accept criticism for under-achievement. He said: "We haven't won a tournament and that's what you get judged on. "We haven't got to the semi-final or the final. I don't think it's unfair. "If it gets personal it's unfair but, in terms of looking at it in black and white, I wouldn't say it's unfair." Ferdinand also believes a good old-fashioned telling off from the manager can help a team. Swede Eriksson was usually quiet and mild-mannered in the dressing room but Ferdinand has seen the opposite extreme with Sir Alex Ferguson at club level. Ferguson is famed for his fierce verbal outbursts and England boss McClaren witnessed the Scot in full "hair-drier" mode during his time as his assistant at Old Trafford. Ferdinand said: "The boss at United has achieved great things and he hasn't done that through pussy-footing around people. "I don't envisage the boss we have with England now doing that either. "If he has a problem or he needs something to be rectified in the team, he will just come out and say it to the lad straight away. He's already been doing that. "Players should definitely be treated that way more often. That's the way I've grown up. "Some players might not agree with that and might squirm at it. "But I don't think there's anything better than hearing a manager be honest - either in front of the lads or to your face by yourself - and telling you where you've gone wrong and what you have to do to improve. "It can only make you a better player." Jermaine Jenas was back in training after missing yesterday's two sessions ahead of tomorrow's clash with Macedonia at Old Trafford. The game is a sell-out, with a 71,000 crowd expected to set a new record for an England home game outside Wembley. The previous best was 70,373 for the friendly against Jamaica, also at Old Trafford, in June. By Bettingzone.co.uk Used with permission. SEND THIS TO A FRIEND ENGLAND v MACEDONIA MATCH PROGRAMME INDEX
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