Sven: I must win a trophy

He believes that friendlies are an important element in the preparation for something altogether more serious and demanding. "I care about the England fans and respect their opinions," he said.

"They are spending good money to support their team and I have experienced their commitment first hand.

"Despite what some people seem to think, I share that same passion. I want to give the England fans success at a major tournament. And I believe that using the friendly matches in the way I do will help me achieve that.

"I learned things during the Holland game and the preparation beforehand that will help me in the future. I tried a new system for instance. I was talking to the Dutch coach Marco van Basten after the game and he told me that he'd tried something new, too, by playing Roy Makaay wide on the left.

"If you don't look at new things in friendlies, when do you look? I can't do it against Northern Ireland

because I have to be sure that the team I put out is going to work."

Did he learn much from playing Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson in an unfamiliar role wide on the right against the Dutch?

"I might feel a little bit sorry for him but I don't think he was sorry to go out and play," he replied.

"He was extremely happy and it was interesting to see him there. I know what he can do up front."

Even after four years here, the courteous, unassuming Swede remains bewildered by some of the criticism he now considers almost inevitable after any low-profile performance by his team in a friendly.

"I always accept criticism and opinion when it's about football," he said. "If you ask me whether I understand it, well I read a little of it in the days after the Dutch match and I would say: no, it's difficult to understand. It seemed like the Second World War, not a friendly football match.

"But, despite the criticism I enjoy the job, yes, I do, very much. I feel hugely honoured to be the coach of England and I realise that criticism is part of the job."

Brought in to salvage England's World Cup hopes when Keegan suddenly quit, this is Eriksson's third qualifying campaign.

With 14 wins and four draws from 18 matches, he's the only England manager unbeaten in qualifying tournaments apart, of course, from Terry Venables, who never competed in one.

Leading Group Six by one point from Poland, England can significantly enhance their chances of securing the automatic World Cup place if they beat the Irish in Manchester and, four days later, Azerbaijan in Newcastle. He added: "I'm proud of my record, but I'm not satisfied. I'm not proud of the fact that we lost one quarter-final to Brazil and another, on penalties, to Portugal. As far as I'm concerned there is unfinished business.

"I believe we'll qualify for the finals in Germany and I think that, this time, the possibilities for us will be bigger than in Japan and Portugal, now that we have the same preparation as the other countries.

"That's why I fought for four weeks break before the World Cup. The England players will need that. I think a proper break is essential to allow players to recuperate after a long season and prepare properly. When we went to Japan and Portugal, we suffered because of that. We were a little bit tired.

"In tournament football, fitness and conditioning are absolutely vital. They are among the most important things. You also need a little bit of luck with injuries and penalties and things like that.

"It's also important to have a good relationship with your players. I have to know about a large pool of players, both on and off the pitch. I need to know how they integrate in the camp, what they're like as people. Friendly matches give me this opportunity."

Significantly, Eriksson has just acquired a new ally in Brian Barwick, the recently appointed chief executive at the Football Association.

"I know I have his support," said the England coach. "He's a real football man, who understands the game and wants success for the England team.

"It's important we have a good relationship. I had a very positive meeting with him after the Holland game and shared my plans and objectives with him. The future could be very exciting and I hope, for instance, I still have the job when Wembley is ready. It will be a fantastic stadium. Even the name is special."

Eriksson's contract runs until 2008, though there's a growing feeling that he will depart Soho Square following the 2006 World Cup. After the hammering he's taken from some quarters, the prospect of returning to the daily grind of club management might have a greater appeal to the 57-year-old former Gothenburg, Benfica, Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, and Lazio coach.

Will he quit? "I only left one job without winning a title," he replied. "That was Fiorentina. It was impossible there. With all my other jobs I won something. I won't feel the England job is complete until I've won something. I hope we get the chance to give it a big try in Germany."