[goldenHuddlestone]

England manager Steve McClaren believes his Euro 2008 stragglers will hold their nerve and come good in next months qualifier in Israel.

The game in Tel Aviv on March 24 looks a more daunting prospect in the wake of Englands 1-0 friendly defeat by Spain on Wednesday and their fall to third place in Group E behind Russia and leaders Croatia.

Asked if it would be hard to lift his men for the game at the Ramat Gan stadium, McClaren told reporters: "No problem. Weve got great pride in playing for England and they know theyve got a job on. They know its not easy, that theyve not got a divine right to be in the team, not got a divine right to qualify and that they have to work hard towards that. They know what they have to do and they will be ready in six weeks to do that."

McClaren and his players know they will be under pressure after their disappointing display at Old Trafford.

"Its about holding your nerve at times like this," said the coach, who replaced Sven-Goran Eriksson after the World Cup and has yet to really convince a sceptical British media.

"Its what we all have to do, even though the criticism will fly. But we know what were doing, we know where we are, we know that by six weeks time well have a completely different face on what we have at the present. Weve got to hold our nerve and stay positive."

The player McClaren most needs to return at Ramat Gan is striker Wayne Rooney, who just missed out against Spain due to a back injury.

"He wins you football matches, everybody knows his importance," McClaren said. "He can make a difference and I think that was the thing missing - quality in the final third."

[gorbals]

Originally Posted by goldenHuddlestone

"He wins you football matches, everybody knows his importance," McClaren said. "He can make a difference and I think that was the thing missing - quality in the final third."

That is poor! If one man makes a team, and the manager says as much, then England might as well just stay at home. If they were a decent TEAM they would play well regardless of one missing player.

If they rely solely on Rooney they are stuffed and don't deserve to win.

[aisuru]

Originally Posted by gorbals

That is poor! If one man makes a team, and the manager says as much, then England might as well just stay at home. If they were a decent TEAM they would play well regardless of one missing player.

If they rely solely on Rooney they are stuffed and don't deserve to win.

aisuru agrees

[Matt the Thrasher]

I don't recall Rooney winning too many matches during the world cup

[goldenHuddlestone]

Thought I'd just bump this back up again because the match is fast approaching

[Matt the Thrasher]

I see Preston's David Nugent has been called into the squad to replace Darren Bent .

The four England strikers in the squad are Rooney , Johnson , who hardly ever scores from open play ( I know he got one yesterday) , Defoe who spends most of his time warming the Tottenham bench and a championship striker with no top flight experience.

[georgejmacdonald]

Originally Posted by goldenHuddlestone

England manager Steve McClaren believes his Euro 2008 stragglers will hold their nerve and come good in next months qualifier in Israel.

The game in Tel Aviv on March 24 looks a more daunting prospect in the wake of Englands 1-0 friendly defeat by Spain on Wednesday and their fall to third place in Group E behind Russia and leaders Croatia.

Asked if it would be hard to lift his men for the game at the Ramat Gan stadium, McClaren told reporters: "No problem. Weve got great pride in playing for England and they know theyve got a job on. They know its not easy, that theyve not got a divine right to be in the team, not got a divine right to qualify and that they have to work hard towards that. They know what they have to do and they will be ready in six weeks to do that."

McClaren and his players know they will be under pressure after their disappointing display at Old Trafford.

"Its about holding your nerve at times like this," said the coach, who replaced Sven-Goran Eriksson after the World Cup and has yet to really convince a sceptical British media.

"Its what we all have to do, even though the criticism will fly. But we know what were doing, we know where we are, we know that by six weeks time well have a completely different face on what we have at the present. Weve got to hold our nerve and stay positive."

The player McClaren most needs to return at Ramat Gan is striker Wayne Rooney, who just missed out against Spain due to a back injury.

"He wins you football matches, everybody knows his importance," McClaren said. "He can make a difference and I think that was the thing missing - quality in the final third."

haha the mighty england can't even beat israel, what a laugh... and you are even suggesting you can win 2008 GET REAL. You'll be lucky to qualify. HAHAHA. Bunch of losers!!!

[Matt the Thrasher]

Originally Posted by georgejmacdonald

haha the mighty england can't even beat israel, what a laugh... and you are even suggesting you can win 2008 GET REAL. You'll be lucky to qualify. HAHAHA. Bunch of losers!!!

I think you've hit the nail on the head, England's big problem is one of ridiculously high expectations ,they think they are one of the worlds top footballing nations when they simply are not and thus keep torturing themselves, if they could embrace there mediocraty they would be a lot happier.

[Professor Ludwig Mawson]

England can be a major footballing nation but to do that they must get rid of Steve McLaren. When he has been in charge, they have been un-inspiring and boring to watch. They need to get a good coach. Someone who can has some tactical nous and someone who will get these superstars to play as a team.

[Matt the Thrasher]

But after the last world cup 99% of England fans were saying it was all Svens fault , England had the players to win the wc but were badly coached .

I'm not saying England are a bad team , they are not , there just not as good as they think they are.

[DC_FC79]

the way to win the matches is if the team plays asthey should do which is as a team, you cant rely on the 1 player to win a match, yes there are players who can inspire/encourage players like keane did at man utd, lamps and gerrard dont play well together, they stifle each other, id leave lamps out and stick with gerrard,