Overcomplicating a simple game

If England play 4-4-2 Vs Northern Ireland, 9 times out of 10 you'd expect them to win.
I'm not a Sven hater, but just couldn't understand his selection at all. Seemed to me he wanted to play everyone, and by doing so overcrowded midfield (which shouldn't be necessary vs N.I)Lampard, Gerrard & Owen hardly had a kick all game. Sven needs to decide his team & stick to it. Beckham's passing was lovely to watch but in the end it led to nothing. If Owen had had one decent "Beckhamesque" cross from the right to go at it could have been a totally different story.
Can't understand why there is so much debate over the left side of midfield - professional midfielders of that ability should be able to play on either side.... if I can kick with two feet, surely players who train 9 months a year can cope? Just pick SWPhillips or Cole for the left and get Becks back on the right. Two up front. It should have been so simple.
Rant (nearly) over..
One other question - Owen Hargreaves??? WHY??