Did England players revolt over diamond?

Eriksson confirmed to the media he had consulted his four midfielders over which tactics they felt most comfortable with but insisted that, rather than being met by a delegation, he went to his players to find out they were in favour of a flat midfield over a return to the diamond formation.

8216;8216;A players8217; revolt? It8217;s absolutely not true. I began having meetings with my players in 1979 and have done it with all of my teams since then8217;8217;, he is reported to have said.

The diamond features Lampard in a defensive role with Gerrard on the left and Scholes in front; it has been criticised for mis-utilising Gerrard and Lampard but Eriksson favoured it because it would counter the Swiss diamond formation. The flat four has Scholes on the left and Gerrard and Lampard operating as pistons, each taking turns to move up/stay back.

On Friday morning, Brian Woolnough of the Daily Star told the BBC that the players had asked Beckham to take their grievance to Eriksson, with whom he enjoys a close relationship. The coach heard his captain out and agreed to the change, Woolnough said.

Whichever way, the change worked: England ran out 3-0 winners. But it8217;s not the last we8217;ve heard of the diamond.

ENS 038; agencies