The now infamous WAGs were a huge presence during the 2006 tournament in Germany, with Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, a one-time England captain, last season calling it a "circus" as events off the field in Baden-Baden grabbed just as many headlines as the team.

Current England boss Fabio Capello, however, has adopted a much stricter approach to team affairs since taking over from Steve McClaren's ill-fated Euro 2008 campaign.

The Italian, who has overseen eight straight qualifying wins, intends to limit the time his players will get with family members during the next summer's tournament in South Africa to one day after each match.

Capello has warned: "We are there to play, not for a holiday."

Eriksson, 61, stood down after taking his men to a second successive World Cup quarter-final where they lost another penalty shoot-out, against Portugal in Gelsenkirchen.

However, the Swede - now back in the English game as director of football at League Two Notts County - maintains the failure to deliver cannot be blamed completely on the atmosphere outside the camp.

"It's a stupid excuse, isn't it?" declared Eriksson, who will act as a summariser for Perform's live internet coverage of Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in Dnipro.

"The WAGs were invited when I thought it was the right occasion to do it, and that didn't happen very often.

"So that's not an excuse.

"It had absolutely nothing to do with the football." Eriksson added: "It should not have made an impact.

"England in the past were not different from any other country in the world. The Swedes do the same as we did, the Germans, everyone."

Eriksson maintains he has "good memories" from his five-and-a-half-year tenure in charge of the national team.

"It was great fun, every day," said Eriksson, who had an unsuccessful stint in charge of the Mexico national team before taking up his latest role at Meadow Lane. "I was very proud of what we did.

"I am sorry we did not reach a semi-final or a final, but that is life.

"It goes on for me and for England, now with Capello - and they are doing a great job."

However, the Swede believes he could have perhaps done one thing differently.

"Prepare the team mentally better for penalty shoot-outs, especially the last World Cup," he reflected, "that is my only regret.

"But whether that would have helped a lot, you never know."

Eriksson feels such focus will be key to England's chances of progress into the latter stages of the 2010 tournament.

"That is one thing which is very important, the mental strength," he said.

"I guess to win a World Cup you must be strong in every area, mentally as well.

"But, if you look at the [England] squad, some of the key players have already been to two or three tournaments, and that is a very big thing for England."

Eriksson is, however, all too aware that expectations levels will be "above the roof" between now and when the event kicks off at Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg, on June 11.

Yet the former Manchester City boss feels pressure should not hinder a squad full of talent which has plenty of big-game experience.

"That should not be a problem. It should not affect them," he said.

"They will perform very well. I do not think they suffer from it."

Eriksson added: "Experience in big tournaments is key.

"[Frank] Lampard, [Steven] Gerrard are at the right age, [Wayne] Rooney is better and more experienced.

"I think they have a good chance.

"As always, they will need not to have many injuries and to have their big players in the best shape in June, but I am confident for them."