McClaren praises youngster Richards

[Siya]

<H1><P class=Heading11 style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 7.5pt">McClaren praises youngster Richards<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o><P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: white; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 7.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><BR style="mso-special-character: line-break" clear=all><o></o></SPAN><TABLE class=MsoNormalTable style="WIDTH: 100%; mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes"><TD style="BORDER-RIGHT: #ece9d8; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: #ece9d8; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: #ece9d8; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: #ece9d8; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" vAlign=top>

<SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Steve McClaren hailed the performances of debutant Micah Richards and striker Andrew Johnson after his side's 1-1 draw with </SPAN><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:City><st1lace><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Holland</SPAN></st1lace></st1:City><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"> at the Amsterdam ArenA on Wednesday night. <o></o></SPAN>

<SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">The </SPAN><st1:country-region><st1lace><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">England</SPAN></st1lace></st1:country-region><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"> coach was pleased with the team's overall display but singled out his latest additions to the squad for special praise. <o></o></SPAN><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">McClaren told the BBC after the 1-1 draw: 'There was a lot of fluidity. We had penetration up front and I'm very pleased with the performance. <o></o></SPAN><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">'When everyone is fit and available we have a strong team, a good team. <o></o></SPAN><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">'We are moving forward and the preparation has to be right for when we meet </SPAN><st1:country-region><st1lace><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Israel</SPAN></st1lace></st1:country-region><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"> in March.' <o></o></SPAN><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">McClaren reserved praise for Everton striker, Andrew Johnson who was played out of position on the right and did not come close to scoring. <o></o></SPAN><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">The former </SPAN><st1lace><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Middlesbrough</SPAN></st1lace><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"> boss continued: 'He did a fantastic job for us, what he was asked to do. <o></o></SPAN><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">'It was fluid and we wanted flexibility. I wanted us to get the best out of each player. He did a job for the team. He is flexible and he did that.' <o></o></SPAN><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">McClaren also paid tribute to debutant Micah Richards, adding on the BBC: 'The two days he's been with us it's as if he's been with us for years. <o></o></SPAN><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">'It gave every confidence for the future.' <o></o></SPAN><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">McClaren continued on Sky Sports News: 'We tried three up front to put pressure on them and for the majority of the game I think it worked. <o></o></SPAN><P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FO