retired_kpr

I don't dislike McLaren, and I don't think he's a completely terrible manager, but he's not good enough to manage England, there were several better choices available.

Have £100 at 8/11 on him to not be England manager by the end of the year, think it's a great bet. England to fail to qualify is 1/2 at a stretch, probably shorter, and SURELY he goes if England don't go through.

mattsaunders

how grimly predictable


I will not quit, insists McClaren

Steve McClaren says he is still the right man to lead England - even if his team fails to qualify for Euro 2008.

England's hopes were dented with a 2-1 defeat in Russia last month and now rest on other results going their way in the remaining ties.

But McClaren said: "I believe I am the right man to take England forward.

"I love working with the team and I know they will go on to be successful. I have faith in them and belief in them and I want to go on."

McClaren added: "I understand why people are talking about my future. It is a viable debate, but one I cannot be part of."

The former Middlesbrough manager also believes he has been shown solid backing from his FA employers, including chief executive Brian Barwick, especially after the humiliating struggle against Andorra last March.

"They were supportive after Andorra and have been supportive all the way through," he said.

"I accept the first six or seven months after I came into the job were difficult.

"We had to turn things around a little bit and build the confidence back up but we took quite a few hits along the way, none more so than the draw against Macedonia at home.

"But we have taken those hits and become stronger for them."

Crucially, McClaren also feels he has the support of his senior players and added: "As soon as they lose faith and belief, you are in trouble.

"But I do not believe that is the case. You know when a team is struggling and when they are not gelling. There is a great spirit and togetherness about this group."

However, McClaren knows his team must beat Croatia at Wembley on 21 November and then hope Russia to drop points in one of their two remaining games against Israel and Andorra, or for Macedonia to defeat Croatia, to still have a chance of reaching next year's finals.

But he is backing Israel not to throw the towel in in against Russia in the Ramat Gan Stadium.

"Israel are a very proud nation and Tel Aviv is a tough place to go," he said.

"They have a great home record. They have lost once - to Croatia - in the last two qualifying competitions.

"The whole of Europe will be looking at that game. Israel have to perform and they know it."

McClaren's latest group of 26 has been reduced to 25 for the friendly against Austria on 16 November and against Croatia on the 21st given that Wayne Rooney has joined skipper John Terry on the injury list. Defender Rio Ferdinand is also suspended.

But the squad includes recalled former skipper David Beckham, whose experience McClaren feels could now be curcial against Croatia.

"I believe that with the likes of Ferdinand and Terry out of the squad we are lacking experience," McClaren said.

"We need those big players with experience and David is one of those."

retired_musiclova31

as long as the result against the croats is respectable, he's gonna survive no matter what else happens.

mattsaunders

'We have to be positive'

England Head Coach Steve McClaren has spoken of the ‘bullish' spirit in his squad, which gives him confidence for the future of the Three Lions.

McClaren, speaking after announcing his party for the friendly in Austria and final Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia at Wembley, believes England can still reach next summer's tournament.

He said: "The campaign is not over. It's out of our hands, which is the biggest regret and we're relying on other people now.

"When I look at the last game against Croatia, I still believe that one will be very important for us - we will need to get a result against them to qualify.

"I think we're one of the best two teams in this group and I think our performances over the last six or eight months have proved that. In the first six or seven months, I agree we were struggling for confidence and rhythm.

"We took some hits and the biggest hit was Macedonia. It was two points dropped at home and if we'd got them it would have still put us in the driving seat.

"But since then we've come together as a team. Our attitude has been great and our performances have been good, and we've had five 3-0 wins.

"We had 70 minutes in Russia where we were in control and the game plan was working well. Things outside our control changed that and we were so close. You talk about being bullish, and the way we have been playing gives me confidence for the future of this team.''

McClaren has recalled David Beckham to the squad, and added: "There's been a lot of talk about Beckham and there was before I called him up in the summer.

"David is a big player, a big-game player, an experienced player and he's never let England down. He showed that in the summer.

"When we're missing the likes of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, we need as many big-game players as possible.

"It's been unfortunate that David has been injured and it was important for me to go over to America and speak to him and look at him eye-to-eye, see how his injury was and his fitness was, and speak to the medical and fitness people.

"The only thing he's lacking is match practice. He's in the squad, but that doesn't guarantee him a place in the team or on the bench. But he's an invaluable member of the squad.''

mattsaunders

i'm sorry, but does he really say this stuff?

"things out of our control"? wtf?

f o a d McClaren

retired_sisa___

tbf McClaren didn't plan for the plan to not work, not his fault mate.

Russians went and scored, who can account for that? they should let you change the way you play, tactics or something, maybe introduce new people to replace others, to make a difference?

AND he was forced to bring on Downing, who isn;t even worth a downs syndrome gag as they are higher in the food chain.

retired_musiclova31

wenger now calling for the grinner not to be sacked.

probably doesn't want to go through the whole arsene for england rubbish again.

mattsaunders

Benayoun injury hits England bid

Yossi Benayoun is set to miss Israel's Euro 2008 qualifier with Russia on 17 November, dealing England's hopes of reaching the finals a major blow.

England need Israel to draw or win in Tel Aviv if they are to stand a realistic chance of grabbing second place in Group E and Benayoun is the Israelis' key player.

The midfielder suffered a groin injury in Liverpool's 2-0 win over Fulham.

He faces a scan on Sunday and Reds boss Rafael Benitez said: "It is very, very doubtful he will join his country."

Benayoun, who has cancelled his flight to join up with his international team-mates, is one of only two players in Israel's squad to play in the Premier League. The other is Chelsea defender Tal Ben Haim.

The 27-year-old Liverpool star has an impressive international goalscoring record, having scored 13 goals in 53 games.

If England fail to qualify for the finals it will be the first time they have missed out on a major tournament since the 1994 World Cup.

retired_jessicadon

aha desperation.

mattsaunders

fwiw:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Caps GlsScott Carson Aston Villa 0 0David James Portsmouth 35 0Paul Robinson Tottenham Hotspur 41 0Wayne Bridge Chelsea 25 1Wes Brown Manchester United 13 0Sol Campbell Portsmouth 71 1Ashley Cole Chelsea 61 0Joleon Lescott Everton 2 0Phil Neville Everton 59 0Micah Richards Manchester City 9 1Nicky Shorey Reading 2 0Gareth Barry Aston Villa 14 0David Beckham Los Angeles Galaxy 97 17David Bentley Blackburn Rovers 1 0Joe Cole Chelsea 45 7Stewart Downing Middlesbrough 16 0Steven Gerrard Liverpool 61 12Owen Hargreaves Manchester United 39 0Frank Lampard Chelsea 58 13Shaun Wright-Phillips Chelsea 17 3 Ashley Young Aston Villa 0 0Peter Crouch Liverpool 22 12Jermaine Defoe Tottenham Hotspur 24 3Michael Owen Newcastle United 87 40Alan Smith Newcastle United 18 1</pre>