08/10/2016 Football Focus

We have a power half hour for you today as World Cup

qualifying takes centre stage on this week's Football Focus.

After the Big Sam fiasco, can tempoary boss Southgate

They were stars of the summer - Eidur Gudjohnsen on

I reflect with pride, not only have the team performed. It was more how

we represented our country. We examine the pros

and cons of the EFL Trophy. A lender with two clubs at Wembley

and that's the chance we've got to go to Wembley.

I'm delighted to say that the former England defender Matthew Upson joins

All four home nations have two matches in the latest

Wales drew against Austria on Thursday.

Tonight, Northern Ireland are at home to San Marino.

The views of Michael O'Neill to come.

In Group F, Scotland are home to Lithuania

at Hampden Park this evening, before that, at Wembley,

Gareth Southgate will be in charge of England as they take on Malta.

The game should be straightforward, but the build up

I've been reflecting on what an honour it is to lead the team. There

is no question I'm a proud unpatriotic Englishman and I'm

looking forward to the challenge. I'm excited by it. I've talked to

the young players that I work with about the journey they're going to

go on in terms of highs and lows. I showed them a page of things that

had gone really well in big matches I played in and things I'd won, and

then there's another page of being sacked, of missing the penalty, all

the bits and pieces. You are a combination of all those experiences

but what those experiences give you is, at moments like this, a lot to

fall back on and the realisation that leadership at moments like this

is really crucial. It's a fresh start for all the players, starting

from today, the first training session, so I'm sure everyone will

be ready and trying to impress him. If I was comparing it to when I took

over at Middlesbrough, where everything that was thrown at me in

that short period of time was new, this has been far calmer. I've been

able to enjoy it a lot more and look forward with a lot more excitement,

rather than the trepidation I was feeling ten years ago. Gareth now

brings a great calmness to the group and he's always talking to every

player individually. I think the lads really appreciate it when he

speaks to you one-on-one, gives you advice on good and bad things, which

we all know we've got to improve. I was at Aston Villa and he was there

so I watched him many times their growing up but I'm familiar with his

career and especially his career with England. I'm looking forward to

working under him and taking his ideas on board. When I came in here

Tuesday morning, I didn't expect to be in charge of the team at 60

might. When you are in football you get used to that sort speed of the

way things happen. I had to put myself forward as the leader of this

group and I was looking at how this may play out for the team. I was the

best position to take them forward for these matches. His message

yesterday was all about England being brave on the ball Malta in the

games is going to be in charge of. What have you made of the way Gareth

Southgate has conducted himself in what's been a difficult few weeks

for England? I think his conducted himself very well. He's come across

as very in control, very positive. I actually made my England debut

alongside him and he was a very calming influence and I think he's

shown that in the way he's spoken to the press and the players this week.

It's probably something that group of young players needs right now.

Use a group of young players. Let's look at the probable starting XI.

Positionally it could be different to this but it is a real

opportunity, isn't it, for youth to have a chance and Gareth Southgate?

He's thrown in Dele Alli, Theo Walcott. I think you left him out of

the Euros but he is back in. Marcus Rashford, who everyone is shouting

for to play because he's done exceptionally well at united.

Personally, I would but Willie as a number nine where storage is and I

would put storage where Rooney is. If you are going to play Rooney, I

think you will get the best out of him as that number nine. He has not

scored. He is a natural player in front of the gold. He will get you

goals if given the service and I would play him up the middle of the

park. To go back to the manager, temporary manager at the moment, we

know. He didn't want the job when Roy Hodgson left and Bouley feels

that it's the right time to go for it. What is your reading of that, as

a man who knows him well? Is a destiny? I think not a lot has

changed in that period of time for Gareth as a coach or manager. He

would honestly be developing all the time but we are talking about a

short space of time. It is almost like the job is hunting him to a

degree, and he gets to a point where you think, is this fate? Am I meant

to take it? I think this might be how he is thinking and I think you

should take it, he has taken it and who is to know when you are ever

ready to take the England manager's job? It is a great opportunity for

him. A big opportunity. Four games in charge, the three World Cup

qualifiers and the friendly against Spain.

Scotland are in the same group as England and Malta

and they are currently top of Group F after beating the Maltese

Tonight their first home game of qualifying is against Lithuania.

Great first game, scored five goals away. Croatia was one goal. We've

got a bit of luck at the right time but we were prepared for that. Luck

is when preparation meets opportunity and that's what we did,

we prepared for that. So we take it on from there, feel good about

ourselves but we don't look at the task, we just look of the results

around Europe and think, nobody goes away smashing people all over the

place. It is very close in all the games last night. Gordon Strachan

saying the game is very close but they should be OK against Lithuania.

A terrible record of late. But it is those games coming up, Slovakia

away, huge, and England on November the 11th. That's what makes the game

against Lithuania at Hampden Park, home, more important, that they get

the three points. Slovakia away and England away, you'd properly take a

couple of drawers if you can. Difficult games. As I said, the

importance of the whole game -- home game is massive. These games are

difficult, aren't they? They won 5-1 against Malta but it was one I

half-time and then Scotland started a freebie score goals. Lithuania

will come to Hampden Park and they will defend for their lives. In some

ways, the games at home against those teams can be harder than the

ones away. They are going to come, they are going to sit back, not

allow a lot of space in between the lines and Scotland are going to have

to be a bit clever and work hard to break them down. That's what they'll

be working on in training. Let's see if they can put that into practice

tonight. Time to look at one of the success

stories of this summer, Iceland. They shocked the football world

and particularly England by reaching A game watched by 99.8%

of the population. They've started their World Cup

qualifying campaign in similar form and even without the newly retired

striker Eidur Gudjohnsen. Since I was a young boy I've always

dreamt of going to a major tournament with the national team.

Iceland are introduced to international football at its peak.

I reflect with pride not only how the team performed, it's more how we

represented our country. And there's a goal for Iceland! People who

followed the Euros, I have a sense that they got to know us a bit

better. Our fans were amazing. They transmitted this atmosphere. The

only regret, I would say, is that I was 37 and not 27. Just a moment

that I had was very fulfilling. Take us back to Nice. What was the

atmosphere like? I think we had already achieved something that took

all the pressure off us. I don't think many people expected us to

qualify from the group. We certainly have the belief, especially after

the way we started the tournament. We were playing against a team full

of players that we probably, I suppose, watch on Saturday but we

were very aware of... And this is one thing that Lars Lagerback

pointed out to us that in recent years we were playing against the

most overrated national team side. He said that to us. It is true, the

expectations are always so high and there is so much pressure for

England to do well in a major championship and they haven't

managed to do that for a long long time. So we went into the game

fairly confident and we got what we deserved, I think. And it is helped

across. Goal! And I found level. I can say without playing well, we

played better than the rest of the teams but we had more character and

showed a greater togetherness. Iceland have turned it round! That's

where we ended up. You've had a long and illustrious playing career.

Where does the experience of France ranked? It's a bit of a dream come

true. Played for Iceland over a 20 year period. Just making the steps

onto the field in a major championship is fulfilling something

that I worked hard for and it was almost like winning a small trophy.

What is the longer term impact of the success of the Euros for

Icelandic football? We have a lot of talented players in Iceland is. The

generation that we see in our first team squad now is the first

generation who grew up with the better facilities, with better

coaching, and it's the first time that the full national team is

reaping the benefits from not only things that are going on on the

pitch but off the pitch. Anyone you would pick out as someone who is

going to make a real impact? I wouldn't mind younger Johnson making

an impact! Does playing and coaching lie ahead? I can see myself going in

that direction. I will definitely be involved in football in one way or

another. And the story continues.

On Thursday night they beat Finland 3-2 with two goals in added time,

So the fairy tale just continues to be added to. They've got great

spirit, great character. To miss a penalty and still win 3-2, coming

off a fantastic Euros, it is important to keep up the momentum

and carry on getting the results, similar to what Wales need to do, so

people don't just think it is a one-off. They beat England at the

Euros, they beat Austria. Fantastic tournament, losing in the

quarterfinal. Such a small country but huge hearts and huge character.

I told you he would get Wales into every answer! He dropped a little

Wales bomb! On the issue of Gudjohnsen, they built the

infrastructure, and we did a piece of last season, looking at the way

they've looked at the coaching and indoor football to make sure they've

got this next generation of players and it's going to continue.

Absolutely. It's something I think England can look at because it shows

you what a clear plan of philosophy and the can build, whether it is

elite playing or long ball or whatever style you want to play, if

you rely on it and you lay the foundations, you can achieve

something. Following the Icelandic model! On the Gudjohnsens, we saw

his son Sveinn. He is playing in Iceland, he has another son playing

at Espanol and another son is at Barcelona so the generations of

Gudjohnsens are continuing! Wales were one of the other teams

who really made a name Their World Cup qualifying campaign

hasn't started too badly either. On Thursday night they got

a 2-2 draw in Austria, who haven't lost a competitive game

at home in four years. Joe Allen gave the Welsh the lead

with a great half volley and a Kevin Wimmer own-goal put them

ahead again, but both times they were pegged back by goals

from Marko Arnautovic. In terms of Wales, the Joe Allen

great goal against Austria, but the fact that he's not going to be

available this weekend, how big a blow is that? It is a big blow

because I've always recognised his talent but he left Liverpool because

he couldn't quite become a regular. He's had a good move to Stoke, he's

adding goals to his game. He's comfortable on the ball. He

manipulates a certain situations. He works so hard to. Works out, break

things down, anticipates where the ball is going to drop and he's

turned into a real fine player so I think he'll be a big miss. He is a

huge player for Wales. And also Aaron Ramsey. You give someone else

an opportunity. We have got a decent squad. David Edwards may come in,

Chris may play the two strikers upfront and play Gareth Bale on the

left, he may play folks and Hal Robson-Kanu. It will be interesting

to see how he sets up. He might go to four at the back. Deductible game

at home to Georgia. They have played well in their first two games, they

lost at home to Austria and are played very well. They will think a

win gets them back in the group but we will be favourites at home in

Cardiff. It shows you how things have changed, that Wales are

favourites to win. Georgia is a big game but it is the Republic of

Ireland and Serbia in the next away games. The pick-up point their -

here we go again. It could be a World Cup. They are flying on

belief. They really do believe they could win matches, which is a huge

contrast from 18 months, two years ago.

A new manager appointed this week at one of Chris Coleman's old clubs

with Swansea sacking Francesco Guidolin

Francesco and bringing in Bob Bradley - the first American

Swansea City have a busy day after sacking their manager, Francesco

Guidolin. The struggling Premier League side replaced him with former

USA boss Bob Bradley. Well, first i I'm honoured to be at Swansea City

Football Club, that's first, but this bit about pioneer and all the

rest, I'm not an American manager or football manager. Man, I'm here to

give everything I have for the fans, for the club, and I couldn't be more

excited about the chance. No matter what your name is, if you

come to the Premier League, you still have to earn respect. OK. It

is not given to you. As new American owners, just like anybody else, they

have a learning curve and I don't think that they would have gotten to

where they are by making decisions with their heart. It will increase

the profile in the US. Swansea City Football Club has gained a bunch of

supporters this week and I'm not coming in with a new book on

football, but we've got to find a way to restore some confidence, we

have got to be honest that certain things need to be better again. So I

think it's normal work. Wales have got a home game against

Serbia. You're not happy with the way that

Swansea dealt with the sacking of Francesco Guidolin and the

appointment of Bob Bradley. That's what upset the Swansea City football

fans it is not the appointment of Bob Bradley, it is the way it was

done. A lot of them would have liked to see Francesco Guidolin get a few

more games. They played Liverpool, they play Arsenal next and Man City,

Chelsea and they have been to Leicester and they've got games now

of teams in and around them. They play the likes of Watford at home.

Crystal Palace and West Ham. Opportunities there. Opportunities

and I think even Swansea, they are 21% owned by the fans and it is a

case of they weren't consulted about the appointment, the fact this they

sacked Francesco Guidolin on his birthday. It is what it is now and

ultimately the American owners had a big say. They own 60% of the

football club. They are the ones who brought in an American manager. We

can talk about Giggs and other candidates, but Bob Bradley has got

the job and the fans will get behind him now and he is the manager now.

Francesco Guidolin was at the same hotel as that press Conference as

Bob Bradley. This is yesterday. I know, it is uncomfortable and

nothing they can take control of, but it was just another painful

element of the appointment of Bob Bradley and when you look at the

managers they have had, we used to talk about Swansea as a club that

forward planned and were careful about the way they went about

things, but no manager has stayed there longer than two years, it is

hard to find stability when you keep changing the boss like that? It was

the key to their success. They had a clear philosophy and a foundation of

A, how they were going to play and they maintained that over a long

period of time which gave a manager enough time to establish that

philosophy. Recently we have had so many changes of manager that all of

a sudden the identity of Swansea has changed and at the moment, you

probably couldn't really say how they do want to play.

Neil Warnock has taken over at Cardiff, promoted seven times. He is

proven, isn't he, Neil? Exactly. Graham west lee taking over at

Newport County. Mr Bradley first game in the Premier League will be

next weekend against Arsenal and I'm sure he will enjoy a spot of this.

We do a lot of agility work, a lot of diving, I'm hoping I might be

able to offer something. We want to see everything that you've got

today. Swag it up Tom. Over the shoulder. What a play. Oh my

goodness, did you see that? That is also available

on the iPlayer as is You can download it

from midnight tonight. Plenty of 5 live commentaries

to enjoy this weekend, starting with the England game

at 5pm this afternoon. Let's turn our attention to Group C,

where Northern Ireland face the extremes of qualifying over

the next couple of days. Tonight they face San Marino

in Belfast, before travelling to Hannover to face world champions

Germany on Tuesday. It's what they can do

at Windsor Park, though, which will be the key

to their campaign. We have had 11 points from 15 in the

previous campaign and you know we need that again, if not more and if

you're going to get that kind of total from your home games then you

have to beat San Marino and Azerbaijan. These are games that we

have to capitalise and take the three points otherwise going to the

Czech Republic and getting a positive result it is nullified if

you don't concentrate on the home fixtures particularly against the

perceived smaller nations in the group. It is imperative that we win

the game on Saturday night and take three points. He's right with that

as well. The stadium will be jam-packed and

it can make a difference? I remember that evening well. Not for the right

reasons probably, but it was a fabulous atmosphere. I'm not

thinking that was because they won 1-0. Right from the off, it was just

absolutely bouncing. You know, if they have maintained some of that

atmosphere in the new stadium and kept, you know, that real feel to

it, I think it would be a tough place to go and play. That

intimidation, it can work, can't? As Michael was saying it did in the

last campaign. Unbeaten and 11 points from 15? Well, they create an

unbelievable atmosphere at Windsor Park, the Northern Ireland fans, I

played there and missed a penalty for Wales and it was like going back

to Ibrox! Yes, it can be noisy there and they work off that crowd as

well, the team. They get a huge lift from the crowd and they had a

wonderful campaign in the Euros and I fancy them to take care of

business against San Marino. A difficult one... Next Tuesday.

Against Germany away. Michael McGovern, who can forget his

performance. They lost to Germany, but he was outstanding, wasn't he?

He could do with another one of those in goal.

Six games in League 1 this afternoon and a full programme in League 2

and this week many of those clubs have been in action in the EFL

New name, new format with 16 under 23 academy sides from Premier League

and Championship clubs now taking on the lower league sides.

Mark Clemmitt went to Hartlepool to see how it's working.

The EFL Trophy. In Group F... The idea is to give young talent a

chance to revitalise an ailing competition and improve prize money.

We have had a tweak to the format. There is an initial group stage and

it is fair to say those changes have had a mixed reaction.

From academy sides point of view, it bridges a gap that we have been

missing for a few years. The challenge for our players is mostly

on the physical side of the game. I don't think our defenders would have

defended as many cross balls into the box. Is David Moyes showing an

interest in this? Is it filtering down the whole club set-up? Working

with David, he wants the messages to get through to the boys here.

Playing against men that are playing Football League week in and week

out. Give me a prospective on the competition from the EFL point of

view? It can be a hindrance. I have certain rules. I have to play five

players who started the game on Saturday or five players who are my

top 11 appearance makers, but when you got two away on international

duty, and one suspended from a competition, I've got to select five

from eight. OK, but there is ?10,000 at stake tonight. I don't know if

your owner told you that, but these the prize money? What's that going

to get me? It is an incentive. Of course, it is. It is a good

incentive, but the be all and end all is I do right by the football

club. No benefits to your players as you see it? No, the benefits should

be for the younger players and the players who are on the fringe and I

can't do that. What were you thinking when you went to your

member clubs and said, "We want to introduce the academy teams?" Two

years ago Greg Dyke spoke to our clubs about what the English game

really needed to do to create more and better home-grown players and

this was an ideal opportunity to try and bridge that gap between academy

football, the first team football. What wouldn't have worked is if our

clubs, the EFL clubs, actually fielded teams that were full of

younger players as well. Effectively what we would then have is U21

football in a first team setting. It is an important part to see what the

EFL can contribute to football in this country.

The objection, what people don't like is the fact... The Premiership

is hijacking our competition and it will end up with two Premiership

clubs at Wembley and that's the chance that we've got to go to

Wembley. I mean, that's the only chance we've got really.

It is great for the U21s because they're getting experience, but it

is stifling my young players The proof will be in the pudding to look

back and say has it worked for Craig's team? Has it worked for

ours? If not, why not, can and can we change it going forward? If you

can change it and make it fairer and more League two football friendly

then I'm all for that. It is an interesting debate.

You've been doing a bit of work with West Ham under-23s,

It is a fabulous opportunity for 17, 18, 19, 20-year-old players to go

and play what I would describe as real football, men's football. I

mean, our 18-year-old centre-back played on Tuesday night. He would

never get a challenge like that playing in Premier League 2 or under

23 football. So what an experience and from a Premier League manager's

point of view I would rather go and see my 19-year-old centre-back

playing that game than playing a game that's all about how many

passes you're making. You find out something different about young

players which is important. What about the Hartlepool fan that's

making the point, Barnsley, Peterborough had the chance to go to

Wembley and do well and that may not be the case and this was their

trophy, John? I agree with Matt. A young footballer, you want to give

him the best experience and the most competitive experience and if you

can go in and play senior football at 18, 19, rather than playing U21s

football in front of 25 people on a Wednesday afternoon now you're going

to play in front of big crowds. You're getting that experience and

that would benefit the young players going on in the future.

Thank you very much. More from John and Matt on our Focus

Forum on the website. Plenty more from John

and Matt on the Focus Forums on the website during the week,

the Premier League Show is on BBC Two on Wednesday night

and we'll be back at 12 next We leave you with a tribute

to all things American Oh and that's number two.

He has slipped. He's up and he scores!

He scores his 50th Premier League goal.

It has been a disappointing day for Brad Friedel.