Struck dumb as Defoe sparkles

At least Sven-Goran Eriksson showed the critics his usual aftermatch courtesy. "I really don't care what is written," he said. "But I understand the players' point of view."

He was far more at ease talking about Defoe who, along with Paul Robinson and Ledley King, has suddenly elevated the profile of Tottenham Hotspur to a level they haven't enjoyed in international circles for some years.

But they still have a way to go before they can emulate the Spurs team of the mid-eighties that had five players on duty against Turkey in Izmir - - Hoddle, Mabbutt, Hodge, Allen and Waddle.

There's no doubt that 21-year-old Defoe is a little diamond of a striker who already possesses many of the qualities that shape international players.

He has quick feet, electric pace, a sense of positioning and an eye for goal.

Eriksson said: "He's a big talent and he'll always score. I've been very impressed with his sharpness in training and when I told him he was playing he showed no nerves at all."

Whether he was responding to his critics or not, Eriksson demonstrated a ruthless streak by axing goalkeeper David James, the first team regular since David Seaman's retirement, and Manchester United striker Alan Smith.

Robinson, solid and unspectacular, had little to do that required anything special but was impressive enough to believe that he might hold on to the first team spot against Wales and Azerbaijan next month. As for Defoe, it will be difficult to leave him out.

His performance eclipsed that of Michael Owen and may produce a tactical re-think by Eriksson and his coaching squad.

He, Owen and Rooney are clearly England's best strikers but none fulfil the conventional centre forward role like Smith or Emile Heskey.

It's quite possible that the England coach will adopt the little-but-good strategy for the rest of the qualifying tournament and abandon the traditional centre-forward for the time being.

As Eriksson put it: "We're trying hard to play a passing game. We tried to keep the ball on the ground against the Poles.

"I think that is going to be the best policy in the qualifying tournament, though we have good orthodox centreforwards available and some just emerging like Carlton Cole in the Under-21 side."

Eriksson's insistence on playing a passing game through Frank Lampardand Steven Gerrard is designed to keep possession but can produce slow, complicated forward movement unlike, for instance, Arsenal, who move the ball from a defensive position to the opposing penalty area in seconds.

Defoe and Owen both have pace and, in my opinion, would benefit from a faster service, though it was Defoe's speed of thought that produced the opening goal in the 37th minute.

David Beckham was the supplier and Defoe, with his back to goal, twisted away from his marker and shot into the far corner. It was a superb strike.

Late in the first half England looked uneasy, just as they had done against Austria, and soon after the re-start Kamil Kosowski spotted a gap in the England defence and fed the ball through to Maciej Zurawski whose rising drive gave Robinson no realistic chance.

For a time it looked as though England might collapse again, but Gerrard was particularly influential in organising England's response. Beckham and Frank Lampard did their share of the hard work and gradually the Polish resistance crumbled.

Then, in the 58th minute, England regained the lead.

Ashley Cole got down the left and crossed to the near post where Owen's rapid arrival forced Arkadiusz Glowacki to turn the ball into his own net.

It wasn't a classic performance or a great win, but it was enough for England to go top of the table.

Eriksson's job is safe once again and us critics will have to wait another month before sharpening our pencils once more.

"I like the way we're playing at the moment," said Eriksson.

"We're keeping the ball well and we're controlling games, at least for periods. The only thing to do when you're criticised is play good football and win.

"I'm happy to go home with four points from two away games. It's not bad - in fact it's good."