image: thefa.com

After shocking the world yesterday with his ballsy/mental [delete as appropriate] World Cup squad selection, Sven-Goran Eriksson sat himself in front of a PC at FA headquarters and answered fans questions in a live webchat. You can read the complete thing here, or read on for edited highlights...

Chris in Lancashire asked "Why was Owen Hargreaves selected?"

Why indeed. The answer, according to Sven is that Hargreaves is "versatile". which I'm not sure I agree with.

Someone known only as 'lutonfan' actually asked "What I want to know is did you ever consider young talented players?"

Was 'lutonfan' not watching?

Ian from Harrogate asked "Would you consider a tactical result to avoid meeting certain teams in later knock out matches - Brazil or Germany for example?"

The answer was of course, no.

• Defoe and SWP were the hardest to leave out.


• Downing impressed Sven by setting up 3 goals in Middlesbrough's legendary UEFA Cup semi-final second leg.


• ivory Coast will be the surprise of the World Cup.


• He's been thinking abou Walcott for the last couple of months


• Anton Ferdinand was considered as a standby player


• Robbie Fowler was never really considered.


• If there are any problems with the central defenders, Sven will check in on Ledley King in early June.


• Playing Gerrard in the hole behind a striker is "certainly an option we are thinking about.


• A Chelsea style 4-3-3 with Crouch flanked by two wingers (Walcott and Lennon?) is a tactical possibility should both Owen and Rooney be unfit.


• The decision to take Lennon over SWP is based on recent form (though I'll bet Ian Wright's big gob helped swing it.)


• Walcott's best position is "in the hole" says Sven


• We actually have 5 strikers, if you count Joe Cole. I don't.