Soccer: Woodward blasts 'poorly prepared' Eriksson

Clive Woodward

Former England and Lions rugby coach Sir Clive Woodward has offered some helpful advice - and biting criticism - over England's dismissal from the Fifa World Cup by accusing the players of lacking conviction.

Woodward, who presided over a Lions team which could have been accused of lacking conviction as well as other qualities, is now director of football at Southampton FC.

He pinpointed the grim demeanour of England's big-name football stars as they stepped up for their spot-kicks against Portugal.

Speaking in The Sun newspaper, he also questioned the approach of departing manager Sven Goran Eriksson.

"Like many England fans, I was shattered by what I saw - the players' body language. At times there was no evidence of confidence."

Woodward was hardly supportive of Eriksson. "Those in charge of our football should act. They should ask 'why does this keep happening?'," said Woodward, about whom similar questions were asked after the 2005 Lions tour of New Zealand.

"They should identify whoever was responsible for not putting a stop to the rot and deal with him. This could have been avoided.

"Eriksson and those around him did nowhere near enough to improve their chances of winning a shoot-out. Tournament after major tournament, we suffer the same shattering shambles - poor preparation and post-competition excuses.

"Well I, for one, am sick and tired of excuses."

Woodward believed that more time should be devoted to the art of penalty-taking and suggested that top-flight clubs should stage shoot-outs in front of fans after games. "The extraordinary message I keep getting from coaches is you cannot replicate match conditions on the training pitch, that you won't create an ice-cool finisher from the spot just by practice. Rubbish!

"Try telling Tiger Woods he won't improve his putting by working on the putting green. Or Roger Federer that training is a waste of time."

He said after every Premiership match, teams should hold a penalty shoot-out and prioritise the use of England-qualified players. "Make it realistic. Bring in a sponsor, get TV involved, ensure it is competitive and rewarded. Seek and find the elite penalty-takers. You'll soon find out who can take penalties under pressure and who can't."