Sven-Goran Eriksson's unwavering faith in a 4-4-2 system means he will again be putting a square peg in a round hole today.

Paul Scholes has already broken rank to complain about Sir Alex Ferguson's decision to persevere with him as a deep-lying striker this season.

Yet he will be deployed in the unlikely, and even more unfamiliar, role of left-sided midfielder today as Eriksson strives for a winning formula.

Terry Venables, arguably the greatest British coach of his generation, outlined earlier this week how England must call up Middlesbrough's Gareth Southgate and match Argentina man for man.

Venables's team had a three-man backline of Martin Keown and Sol Campbell, with Rio Ferdinand as a sweeper.

He wanted Southgate as a defensive shield, with Owen Hargreaves as the right wing-back and Teddy Sheringham playing behind Michael Owen.

But the idea of 3-5-2 is anathema to Eriksson, who won the Serie A title with Lazio in 2000 with a flat back four.

That system is fraught with danger today as Argentina, all movement and invention, look to play on the weaknesses Sweden exposed on Sunday. And who could revel in a free role to wreak havoc in the England ranks?

Step forward Juan Sebastian Veron - a man played out of position all season by, er, Sir Alex Ferguson.