Euro 2004 qualifying: Travel may broaden the mind but it constricts a football team.
England have been diminished in their two away matches in Group Seven of the Euro 2004 qualifiers, reduced to scrambling for a win in Slovakia and restricted by a self-conscious functionalism when they beat Liechtenstein. They have to exceed those performances in Skopje this evening.
It will be galling if England's excellence is never unpacked in the setting of the Gradski stadium. It was Macedonia, with the 2-2 draw in Southampton, who compelled England to revise their calculations so that they must now scheme to gather the seven points that will guarantee a place in Portugal next summer. Indeed, one win tonight and another against Liechtenstein will send them to eke out a point in Turkey.
"This is a difficult game," Eriksson said. "They have been unlucky so far. I was impressed with what they did in the first half against Turkey away. They were 1-0 and 2-1 in front and they deserved to win it, instead of losing 3-2 in the end. They played really good football."
Macedonia were also ahead when they met Turkey at home but they lost that fixture as well. There are elements of truth in Eriksson's praise of the opposition but there cannot be overwhelming esteem for men who could only draw with Liechtenstein and who are fourth in Group Seven, with no possibility of emerging from it.
Like Turkey, England will be in trouble only if they allow the danger to develop. Macedonia's intentions are not cloaked in obscurity. The quick Vlatko Grozdanovski will be out to spring at Ashley Cole if England again fail to come to the Arsenal full back's aid in sufficient numbers.
The defence, without the injured Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand, was lax when John Terry made his first start for his country in last month's friendly with Croatia. The Chelsea centre-back was too often a critical yard or two away from forwards who therefore had free headers.
The 22-year-old will have to get closer to attackers and nearer to true international standard. On this occasion, at least, Campbell will be around to advise.
The danger to Terry could also be diverted by Nicky Butt, who had to leave the field after 27 minutes against Croatia because of an ankle injury. If England are to be harassed tonight it will be up to the Manchester United player to ensure that there is irritation rather than total panic.
England could best put themselves at ease by taking the game to Macedonia. Eriksson might have had qualms about retaining the diamond system in an away match because it narrows the midfield and lets the opposition attack down the open space on the flanks, but tonight an adjustment has been dictated by injury.
"Of course it's difficult to find another Paul Scholes in England," said Eriksson, "so we can't replace him but we are not going to change very much."
While the Manchester United midfielder will not be there to push up, Wayne Rooney, who isexpected to be preferred to Emile Heskey can link up the play.David Beckham should take up his normal role on the right, while Frank Lampard plays passes in the middle and Owen Hargreaves enhances the security on the left. The straight line of midfielders will have Butt at a deeper position behind them. Like that triangle, Eriksson should have three points in Skopje.
Macedonia v England, Skopje, 5.30, On TV: BBC 1
