Player power

By Terry Butcher BBC Radio Five Live pundit

England's players discussing tactics with Sven-Goran Eriksson is perfectly acceptable - dictating tactics and team selection is not.

WALES v ENGLAND Kick-off: 1500 BST, Saturday 3rd September Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Live coverage on BBC Radio Five Live and this website England team news Pre-match quotes Wales team news

There has been talk of player power in England's camp in the build-up to the World Cup qualifier against Wales, prompting Eriksson to switch from his tried and trusted 4-4-2 system to 4-5-1.

I understand the FA let it be known that the change was not as a result of any requests from the players - and I am very glad about that.

I would hate it if England players started going to Eriksson demanding changes - because if the manager succumbed to that sort of pressure he would be weak and finished.

As a manager, I want to win or lose games with the team I think is right.

There was much talk of Sir Bobby Robson altering tactics under pressure from player power when he was England manager at the 1986 and 1990 World Cups.

Let me tell you right away that did not happen. I should know - I was there.

Bobby and his coach Don Howe had too much respect from the players for that to happen.

As my BBC colleague Graham Taylor said, it is fine for players to have an opinion about the team, voice concerns, or chat to the manager about things.

But I could not handle, understand or accept the notion that players would pick a team or select tactics.

Much has been made of David Beckham's close relationship with Eriksson, and obviously his switch to central midfield is pivotal to this sudden change in tactics.

I think Beckham has more influence on the manager than any other England captain, but I should stress that I do not think this is necessarily a bad thing.

England's players can discuss tactics and team selection but they must never dictate them Terry Butcher

In a World Cup year you need to make sure all departments are pulling together, and a strong link between the manager and captain is important.

But my view is that England players play where they are told - they can discuss, but never dictate.

I am actually happy with the change in system that Eriksson is now apparently going to employ at The Millennium Stadium.

What has disappointed me more is that there is a clear leak in the England camp that means news of tactics and team selection have now become public knowledge and almost a matter of national debate.

Wales manager John Toshack will no doubt be delighted England's specific game plan is currently being picked over by the whole country.

Some have suggested Eriksson should have tried this formation out during the friendly against Denmark.

Maybe that game told him Jermain Defoe could not play alongside Wayne Rooney - so it could be argued Eriksson did find that game useful after all.

Rooney will lead the line alone for England

It is certainly not a negative system because I think Beckham is suited to the central role.

And Wayne Rooney will have the support of the dynamism of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard from midfield and Joe Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips from out wide.

I'll certainly be interested in what Eriksson does if this is a success and he then has Michael Owen available to him against Northern Ireland.

I am more surprised by the news that Charlton defender Luke Young could get the nod ahead of Everton's Phil Neville at right-back.

I would have thought Neville would have been the perfect deputy for his brother Gary on the basis no-one could be more familiar with Ryan Giggs after all their years together at Old Trafford.

I suspect a factor might have been Young's outstanding performance in front of England coach Steve McClaren in Charlton's win at Middlesbrough last Sunday.

Whatever players Eriksson picks, or whatever system he uses, I fully expect an England win.

But my own view on player power is this - a manager can allow players to discuss but never dictate.

Anything more would lead to his position being fatally undermined.