Baku spy Goddard issues Sadygov warning

The man sent by the Football Association to run the rule over Azerbaijan believes only complacency stands in the way of England notching up another three World Cup qualifying points tomorrow.

Paul Goddard, the former QPR, West Ham and Newcastle striker, watched Azerbaijan draw 0-0 with Northern Ireland on Saturday and said today: "Technically they are useful, but if we show the right attitude and we're not complacent I believe we'll win." Goddard, also a former West Ham coach, has, however, a warning for Paul Robinson.

"England and particularly the goalkeeper should watch out for Rashad Sadygov, their sweeper and captain," he said.

"He doesn't like to mark but comes out of defence and is likely to hit a shot from anywhere. He doesn't mind hitting them from any range. He put a couple over the crossbar against Northern Ireland but scored from 35 yards when I watched Azerbaijan play Wales in Baku.

"You must close him down and not let him range forward and let fly."

Goddard, who will be in Lithuania tomorrow to run the rule over Spain, England's friendly opponents next month, also believes that England can take the sting out of the vociferous home crowd if they can score first.

"The Azerbaijan fans are not hostile but they are enthusiastic," said the former England striker.

"When their team crosses the halfway line they suddenly become very noisy. But they go very quiet if their side concedes.

"When Wales took the lead against them, the crowd went dead until Sadygov smashed one in."

Goddard has submitted a full report on Azerbaijan to England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, in which he has identified some vulnerable areas that the team can exploit.

"The Azerbaijan players are not that good in the air in either box," said Goddard. "We can cause problems at set pieces. Their defenders don't look at all comfortable when they have to head the ball under pressure.

"Technically I was surprised how proficient they are when I watched them the first time, but another area which we will have to watch is tackling. They do go to ground easily if you challenge them."

Goddard's report to Eriksson confirms that Azerbaijan play a three-man defensive system. "I would definitely urge England to play high up the pitch and squeeze them, because the Azerbaijan players like to play it out from the back.

"The stadium is okay and the pitch, while grassy and a little uneven, is not bad at all.

"It's difficult to know what the crowd will be. They will be very disappointed that David Beckham won't be playing but if the President decides to go, then the fans will turn up in their droves.

"There should be no problems, though. There are police and army everywhere and the crowd, though enthusiastic, were well behaved in both matches."