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  • McClaren warns uninspired England

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3><DIV class=mxb><DIV class=sh>McClaren warns uninspired England </DIV></DIV></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><DIV> <DIV class=cap>England have not won under McClaren in four games</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

    England boss Steve McClaren has vowed to reprimand his under-performing stars after their 1-0 defeat to Spain.

    The team produced another uninspiring display under McClaren as they lost at Old Trafford and were booed off by unhappy fans.

    "There were a few performances which weren't up to their usual standards," said McClaren.

    "That is the disappointing aspect of this performance. The players know that and it will be made clear."

    <DIV class=avinline>McClaren admitted England were poor in attack with striker Peter Crouch and right winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, in particular, struggling. </DIV>

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5></TD><TD class=sibStdQuote><DIV><DIV class=mva><DIV id=q1></DIV>Nobody is blind to the fact we lacked that final pass and cross and finish <DIV id=q2></DIV><BR clear=all></DIV></DIV><DIV class=mva><DIV class=mva>Steve McClaren</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

    Midfielder Frank Lampard also failed to stamp his mark on the game with England having now failed to win in their last four games.

    "I don't feel the players are letting me down," added McClaren.

    "The attitude and effort was there. It was the quality we lacked, especially in the final third.



    "Nobody is blind to the fact we lacked that final pass and cross and finish. That is what wins you football matches."

    The display follows on from England's failure at the World Cup before McClaren took over from former boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.

    But he has failed to improve the team's fortunes as they have got off to a stuttering start to their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

    They are third Group E and face two crucial qualifiers away to Israel and Andorra next month and McClaren insists having some of his key players back will help.

    "It was always going to be a tough game against Spain with all the players we had missing but I learned quite a bit about a few that came back," he said.

    "We were missing half a squad. We were without the likes of Owen Hargreaves, Wayne Rooney and John Terry - they're big players that can win you big games.

    "We don't like to lose but the key is building towards the game with Israel.

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5></TD><TD class=sibStdQuote><DIV><DIV class=mva><DIV id=q1></DIV>Injuries are always disruptive but we don't want to make excuses - we should have played better <DIV id=q2></DIV><BR clear=all></DIV></DIV><DIV class=mva><DIV class=mva>Steven Gerrard</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

    "It's very difficult in a friendly when you have to make changes. I was really looking at individuals and how they adapt.

    "But it is difficult to get any cohesion you could see that.

    Steven Gerrard, who has now lost both games in which he has captained his country, bemoaned England's failure to gain some confidence before March's testing trip to Israel.

    "Injuries are always disruptive but we don't want to make excuses, we should have played better," he said.

    "We started very well. For the first 15 minutes we were on top, but we didn't score and it's always difficult
    "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

  • #2
    RE: McClaren warns uninspired England

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3><DIV class=mxb><DIV class=sh>BBC pundits on England </DIV></DIV></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416>

    <DIV class=mvb><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=416 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom width=55><BR clear=all></TD><TD> </TD><TD vAlign=bottom width=351><DIV class=mvb><SPAN class=byl>Alan Shearer </SPAN>
    <SPAN class=byd>Former England striker and Match of the Day summariser </SPAN></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
    </DIV>[/B]

    When Spain scored we were looking for some reaction but there was none.

    We had some big players missing but there was no spark or creativity.

    Hopefully, Michael Owen will be back before the end of the season but it was obvious we were badly missing him and Wayne Rooney - our two world-class players.

    It's worrying. I'd like to see Rooney playing with a striker who can run in behind him. Jermain Defoe deserves a go.

    The Spain goal was a magnificent strike and sometimes you have just got to hold your hands up and say you can't really do anything about a shot like that.

    <DIV class=mvb><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=416 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom width=55><BR clear=all></TD><TD> </TD><TD vAlign=bottom width=351><DIV class=mvb><SPAN class=byl>Alan Hansen </SPAN>
    <SPAN class=byd>BBC Sport football expert and Match of the Day summariser </SPAN></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
    </DIV>[/B]

    It was a poor display from England.

    We talked before the game of the need to get a good balance and play at a high tempo but England never got close to that and the Spanish were so comfortable.

    Once their goal went in there was nothing.

    You can say it was just a friendly but England now haven't won in four games and confidence will be low.

    The manager will get mullered in the papers but he'll need a good chat with them in the changing room and before the next game to try and get them up again.

    <DIV class=mvb><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=416 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom width=55><BR clear=all></TD><TD> </TD><TD vAlign=bottom width=351><DIV class=mvb><SPAN class=byl>Ian Wright </SPAN>
    <SPAN class=byd>Former England striker and Match of the Day summariser </SPAN></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
    </DIV>

    It was a lacklustre performance and Spain beat us at a canter.

    They controlled everything and the fans were right to boo.

    They've come out tonight, it was freezing but they didn't deserve that. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
    "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

    Comment


    • #3
      RE: McClaren warns uninspired England

      <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3><DIV class=mxb><DIV class=sh>McClaren's learning curve </DIV></DIV></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416><DIV class=mvb><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=416 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom><DIV class=mvb><SPAN class=byl>By Chris Bevan at Old Trafford </SPAN>
      <SPAN class=byd></SPAN></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
      </DIV>

      This was meant to be the start of a brave new world for Steve McClaren's England - but it turned out to be the same old story. <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><DIV> <DIV class=cap>McClaren bore the brunt of the crowd's frustration at Old Trafford</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

      In his own words, McClaren and his side had something to prove against Spain after ending 2006 with a three-game winless run including a disastrous defeat in Croatia and a disappointing home draw with Macedonia.

      But now that slump is up to four matches after an insipid display that ended in a 1-0 defeat to Luis Aragones' men.

      Wednesday's friendly was England's first game in a year that will decide whether they go to the finals of 2008 in Switzerland and Austria.

      A tough trip to Israel, and what should be a walkover against Andorra, await in their next two qualifiers in March.

      With those two matches in mind, McClaren came to Old Trafford with a twin goal - to get the England fans on his side and to assess some of the fringe players in his squad.

      The boos that rang out at the final whistle showed how badly he failed in his first task.

      But what did McClaren learn about each department of his team - and, more importantly, where does he go from here?



      <DIV class=ch1>GOALKEEPER</DIV>

      Mission accomplished. Ben Foster has only played 18 Premiership games but he made the step-up to international level with ease.

      He had no chance with Spain's goal but he made one outstanding stop, handled another cross impeccably and dealt confidently with everything else that came his way.

      He is unlikely to displace Paul Robinson in Tel Aviv (whether he should is another matter) but at the very least McClaren knows he has a capable back-up in place if he needs him.

      <DIV class=ch1>DEFENCE</DIV>

      He had not played for England for three years but Jonathan Woodgate showed what a class act he is - now all he has to do is stay fit.

      <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=208 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=5></TD><TD class=sib606><DIV class=sihf></DIV><DIV id=q2></DIV><BR clear=all><DIV class=mva><DIV class=mva></DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

      If John Terry has any setbacks between now and the end of March, Woodgate is more than capable of stepping in alongside Rio Ferdinand.

      But as for the selection of Phil Neville at left-back, just one word - why?

      The 30-year-old already has 50-odd caps, most of which have come in the last few years while McClaren has been in the England set-up - so it is fair to say he knows what he can do.

      Sure, he was dependable here, but there is nothing more frustrating than seeing a player make headway down the left-wing then have to turn back to cross with his right foot.

      That is especially true at international level, and even more so when he is the only outlet on that flank.

      This was the perfect opportunity to give Gareth Barry a proper go on the left - or even blood the likes of Leighton Baines or Nicky Shorey.

      McClaren said he did not want to start Barry at left-back as that was not
      "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

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