Time running out as Eriksson seeks right formula

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON shouldered the responsibility for England being left with a ‘knife to their throat’ in terms of qualifying for the World Cup finals after their collapse against Northern Ireland.

His own position is little better. While he urged the nation not to panic, the fans have started to turn on him and he admitted the players had lost their “spirit” after just 35 minutes in Belfast.

Eriksson has vowed not to resign, he is not about to be sacked with a potential pay-off of more than £5million (€7.4m), and victories against Austria and Poland would still ensure automatic qualification for Germany next summer.