ENGLAND striker Teddy Sheringham knows things are not going well for him but with his World Cup future in Glenn Hoddle's hands, he says he feels like a pawn in a game of chess!
"Playing for England is like a game of chess,'' he said. ''It's not cut and thrust like the Premier League. If you give the ball away you won't see it again for five minutes. I think it's about using your brain more. It's like a game of chess. Maybe I'm a pawn!"
While Hoddle has stood by Sheringham , picking him for England while his form for Manchester United has slipped, his dismal showing against the Saudis on Saturday has put his place alongside Alan Shearer under severe threat. ''My form's been so-so and could be better,'' said Sheringham, jeered at Wembley on Saturday. ''I realise that and there's always room for improvement. You have highs and lows during a season. I've had them. I hope I can learn from that.''
He knows there are challengers but he is trying not to think about the likes of Michael Owen or the revitalised Ian Wright. ''You can only worry about yourself,'' he said. ''It's all about opinions and the England manager's opinion at the moment is that I'm in the team. The pressure of playing for England is enough. You can't worry about Ferdinand, Wright and Owen waiting in the wings.''
GARETH SOUTHGATE has urged England's critics to remember the build-up to Euro 96 and not get carried away with the side's results before this summer's World Cup.
Southgate recalls England's unconvincing performances during their tour of the Far East two years ago, but then a month later only his penalty miss against Germany cost his side a place in the European Championship final. Now he is aware the microscope will be focused looking for any cracks in England's armour during this week's matches against Morocco and Belgium after Saturday's disappointing goalless draw with Saudi Arabia at Wembley.
"I'm sure there will be some sort of knee-jerk reaction to Saturday's result and there's no doubt it's given us a bit to think about," said Southgate. "But I remember before Euro 96 when we went to Hong Kong and only managed to win 1-0 against what amounted to a scratch team. Things occasionally happen like they did on Saturday. We'd have liked a big victory but the performance was disjointed. We gave the ball away too cheaply, which caused us problems.
"But it's put into perspective when people remember what we went on to achieve at Euro 96 after what happened in Hong Kong. The good thing is we've now a fair amount of time together and the manager will have the opportunity to discuss and go through things he feels we need to concentrate on."

'GAZZA NEEDS GAMES,' SAYS ROBSON BRYAN ROBSON was amazed that England coach Glenn Hoddle did not start Paul Gascoigne against Saudi Arabia on Saturday and says he must play 90 minutes in Morocco tonight if he wants to get the best from him in France. While Hoddle says Gazza will start tonight, on his 31st birthday, Robson feels his controversial midfielder needs the full game in Casablanca to ensure he is fully fit for the World Cup Finals. The Middlesbrough boss was as baffled as most fans why Hoddle did not give him longer than the last half hour against the Saudis at a time when he needs match action. ''If it were down to me I would definitely play Gazza because he needs the 90 minutes under his belt,'' said Robson. ''I would have played him against Saudi Arabia because what Gazza needs is games. He does not need rest because he had a rest between January and March where he did not play any football. Maybe Glenn did that because of all the publicity and maybe wants to teach him a lesson - only Glenn knows the answer to that one. ''But I feel when he's match-fit he's still the best midfield player in the country. He's the one whose got that little bit of genius and that's why everybody talks about him. He's got that little bit of something which is different to everybody else.'' Gascoigne's fitness has been questioned by his critics after his much publicised late nights on the town last week, but Robson claims he is firing on all cylinders now. He has no doubts that his £3.45m signing from Rangers can make the difference for England in France. ''Gazza's way of relaxing is to go out with some of his celebrity high-profile friends,'' said Robson. ''He did that a couple of times, which he's entitled to do, and that's not going to destroy his fitness. When we finished the season with our last game against Oxford he was 100% fit and excellent. He has no injury problems and no problems at all.'' TOTTENHAM defender Sol Campbell has received a pre-World Cup boost by being named the England team's top player of 1997. The 24-year-old has lifted the Green Flag Player of the Year award for his performances in helping England clinch a spot in France 1998. Campbell said: "Overall, it's been an up and down season with what's gone on at Tottenham but this is done on England appearances and it's great to take such an award. Obviously you can't play well all of the time, especially when a season lasts nine to 10 months, but helping England to reach the World Cup is very special.''

'WE COULD HOST 2002 WORLD CUP BUT WE WON'T' FIFA and Sports Minister Tony Banks yesterday both insisted that the 2002 World Cup will not be transferred to England from Japan and South Korea despite the economic crisis in south-east Asia. FIFA vice-president Lennart Johansson said: ''There is absolutely no doubt that Japan and South Korea will organise the first World Cup in Asia." But Banks was confusingly boasting of England's credential to host it... and then telling us not to talk about it because it will damage England's bid for the 2006 finals! He told Tuesday's Express newspaper: "This is an eventuality which Mr Johansson has raised. He thinks Japan and Korea might have difficulties. We are the only nation equipped to organise and put on a World Cup Finals at very short notice. In effect, we are ready and willing to step in and the football authorities know that. "We stepped in late in the day to organise the 1948 Olympics and we are always ready to help the world of sport," he said. "The fact that England is the only realistic alternative for 2002 underlines just how strong our bid is to host the 2006 tournament. It is a tribute to our strength that anyone should see us as a possible host." All well and good then. But no! Banks now thinks the 2002 finals will definitely take place in the Far East!! '' There is no doubt whatsoever that the Japanese and the South Koreans will host the World Cup and it will be superb," he said. "The suggestion that I have ordered officials to prepare for the possibility of us staging the 2002 World Cup is entirely fictitious. I have issued no such instructions. We are not pitching for the 2002 tournament. Nonsense like this actually damages our chances for 2006.'' The FA are keen on being emergency hosts though: ''Should it arise, we would be willing and able to take up the reins," said FA spokesman Steve Double. ''But it's not something we are necessarily expecting to happen. We are carrying on until 2006.'' However, Double maintained that England would be well-equipped to stage the competition if the Far East countries withdraw their invitation. ''If it did happen we would be in an extremely strong position,'' he added. ''The new Wembley would be ready in time and the 1996 stadiums are more than adequate. The thrust of the campaign is for 2006 but we are in a strong position now and the position will get stronger.''

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