No Plan B

England assistant Tord Grip's comments that there is no Plan B in Wayne Rooney's absence shows a worrying lack of preparation.

Sven-Goran Eriksson doesn't know how England will play at the World Cup without Wayne Rooney.

And who can blame him? He's only had two whole years to think of the eventuality of England's most influential player being absent from the tournament through injury (or possibly suspension knowing the young Man Utd striker's temper).

Personally, I think some of the criticism Sven has suffered from the English press has been a bit unfair, especially comments that he doesn't show much emotion. We can leave all that to the fans and pundits.

One thing that he hasn't done is show much willingness to experiment. Alright, we had that 4-3-3 abomination against the Netherlands with Andy Johnson stuck out on the right, as well as Ledley King as an anchorman for the last couple of games.

But apart from this, do we know our first choice replacement for Gary Neville at right back?

Does King keep his place in midfield or does Spurs team-mate Michael Carrick get his chance?

You assume Shaun Wright-Phillips will play right midfield if Beckham can't for any reason, but his lack of playing time for Chelsea makes even this questionable.

The speculation over England's Rooney-less formation is intense with a plethora of options being suggested, largely due to a mistrust of the gangling Peter Crouch starting up front with Michael Owen. 4-1-4-1? 4-4-1-1? Diamond? Three at the back? Who knows? With Sven, you wonder if he even had a Plan A concrete in his mind.

Personally, I'd prefer a diamond, with Joe Cole at the apex -- without Rooney, England desperately lack creativity centrally. A 4-5-1 might suit Sven as he can play Gerrard and Lampard in the middle with extra defensive cover to spare.

Paralysed with indecision over how to replace the burly boy-wonder, maybe Sven will inadvertently stumble on the revolutionary tactic of playing with just ten men.

Go on Sven, I dare you.