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Rooney set to start against Sweden
18/06/2006: Sven Goran Eriksson has indicated Wayne Rooney will start against Sweden, whilst a diamond formation will be employed on Tuesday.
Eriksson set up in training today with the bibs laid out in a diamond formation hinting that will be his preferred starting system in Cologne.
The Swedish tactician had already stated that he is not keen to risk all three players that are threatened with suspension meaning that it is likely Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch will sit out the game with Frank Lampard being the one that is included.
Most likely Jamie Carragher and Rooney will be handed the starting berths in their absence.
Discuss Sven's selection at
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Comments on: Rooney set to start against Sweden
18/06/2006: The idea of playing Rooney as a lone striker. Anyone buy the idea?POSITIVES for me are that on the few occasions Rooney played the front man role for United last season, he looked comfortable enough. He certainly linked up well with players making strong forward runs from midfield. He is not quite an Alan Shearer, but he is physically stronger than Owen and Crouch (who gets knocked off the ball too easily). Given the doubts about Owen and Crouch, I can see why some people are touting Rooney as the lone striker.NEGATIVES - I would be worried that Rooney would be more likely to be marked out the game against the better defenders in the tournament playing the lone striker role. Also, it wouldn't be so easy for him to off the opposition defenders in the way he does so well for England in his present position. Dropping off and getting between the opposition defence and midfield is one of the big pluses he gives England, I feel. When Rooney plays just off the front man, I also feel it helps England's link up play from midfield - arguably, the team needs all the help it can get in that respect at present. Finally, it might be too late to play Rooney in the lone striker role now - Sven should have tried it out in some of the friendlies months ago.
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