However this has been undermined by the FA who have recently signed a deal with the BBC which demands that England must play 18 friendlies over the next 4 years. Also the FA need all the money that they can get after digging deep for the reconstruction of Wembley.
McClaren's comments come after his assistant manager terry Venables raised similar issues in his newspaper column last Sunday.
McClaren also reacted to the huge backlash against friendlies in the press stating that the last two, Greece and Holland, were two particually good and competitive fixtures and that the timing of the Spain game may of been poor due to its position in the domestic season.
The Spain game also saw an important, although somewhat ignored, corner stone in the club versus country debate. It has been revealed that Mcclaren had conversations with Rafael Benitez, who demanded that Gerrard not play the whole game.
This may prove an intresting point in the future when players are not picked or substitued. Other players left out of the Spain game for fitness reasons include Rooney, Bridge and Johnson - all of whom played for their clubs this weekend.
However what may be percieved as the new England manager being a push over, McClaren argues is him looking to keep players fit for the Israel game.
With some players projected to have played over 60 games this season McClaren is wary of causing long term stress injury on players.
The Fa have released a statement saying that the most friendlies that they are willing to drop over the course of those 4 years is two.
Thoughout this debate it must be remembered that friendlies are still very popular - with Old Trafford a sell out for the Spain game and 8 million viewers watching on TV. |
