So England stand one win away from qualifying for Euro 2008.Five consecutive 3-0 victories have erased memories of a once-faltering campaign, and Steve McClaren’s stock is as high as it's ever been.
However, whilst success seems to be at hand, failure is just as close.
A defeat on Wednesday would leave England’s fate out of their hands—not a good thing with only two rounds of matches to go.With that in mind, McClaren will undoubtedly adopt a cautious approach on Wednesday, possibly even starting Frank Lampard as part of a more compact 4-5-1 formation.
Such a system would see Wayne Rooney adopt a wider position, which he has done frequently for his club, and would offer McClaren greater defensive protection against Hiddink’s probable midfield trio.
Whilst a win would guarantee progress, chasing it at the expense of defensive solidity would be a mistake. If nothing else, McClaren will look to get a draw...which would leave England needing only a point at home against Croatia to advance.
Defeat, on the other hand, would leave England relying on Israel to avoid defeat at home to Russia. McClaren’s “reign of terror” could be over by that point.
With 13 clean sheets in the last 15 competitive games, England’s defence should be able to hold out—assuming Paul Robinson can actually make a save if he has to.
My prediction: A heroic 0-0 draw, much like Rome in 1997 and Istanbul in 2003.
What do you all think? Will the plastic pitch prove to be the leveler? More importantly, how is everyone going to even WATCH the game, when it kicks off at 4:00 PM and is only on Sky?!
Questions, questions, questions...
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8 months ago
No questions, only quandary....disgrace, and humiliation. How can England blow it away? That moron goalkeeper Robinson should be hanged till death. I mean....they could have at least drawn the game.. That Rooney foul was outside just inside the D-box, but why can't Robinson parry the latter ball away to safety??????????????
Just keeping my fingers crossed till next month's qualifiers where England must WIN and Russia must LOOSE to Israel..
8 months ago
england are shite. mclaren never deserved the job in the first place and i have no sympathy for the fa for bottling out of such a decision and appointing the so called safe man, the best thing that could happen for the country in footballing terms is that russia win their last two games and england go out. i said at the beginning of this qualifying campaign england wouldnt get thru and i HOPED they wouldnt, i would gladly sacrifice not getting to euro 2008 in return for not having to put up with another 4 years of mediocrity with this absolute buffoon in charge. he has no tactical nous, no balls and no idea of who to pick when they are playing well at club level if theyre not already an established member of the england squad. downing hasnt been playing well for nearly 2 years now and still is relied upon to change a game by mclaren, phil neville contributes nothing but fouls and yet has over 50 caps, leighton baines has been the best english left back for well over a year in the premiership and gets left out to the likes shorey and lescott, and u cant really blame carragher for not being arsed with going away with england when people like wes brown get picked ahead of him can you?
mclaren is a disgrace and a terrible manager but its not his fault he got the job, the fa's selection committee should all be sacked alongside him.
8 months ago
McLaren has to be sacked. Sooner is better.
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