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By effectively guaranteeing them a few games every year against the bigger nations you’re not really challenging them to improve? Just providing them with a bit of a pay-day. If they were forced into playing far more competitive games against teams of a similar standard to earn the right to play the major nations, wouldn’t that be more of a incentive. Also from the big nation’s perspective, what’s better for them? A ‘competitive’ game against Andorra or a friendly against another top tier team? I’d think the latter?
10-05-2007, 04:10 PM
Arise, comrades! England v Estonia & Russia v England *match spoilers, and McClaren turning out to be not that bad after all* Post #85
I'm actually coming round to the idea of pre-qualifying games after our two matches against Andorra. I mean they were just so bad
the argument about them improving by playing games against the big teams just doesn't stand up... quite simply, I can't see what they can possibly get out of game when they're going to ground literally every 2 minutes and aren't prepared to risk even crossing the halfway line at any stage of the game. I mean, they were embarrassing really... if I'd been an Andorra fan, I'd rather see the team lose 10-0 and at least have a go
10-05-2007, 11:16 PM
Arise, comrades! England v Estonia & Russia v England *match spoilers, and McClaren turning out to be not that bad after all* Post #88
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> Caps GlsScott Carson Aston Villa 0 0David James Portsmouth 35 0Paul Robinson Tottenham Hotspur 39 0Wes Brown Manchester United 13 0Sol Campbell Portsmouth 69 1Ashley Cole Chelsea 60 0Rio Ferdinand Manchester United 62 2Joleon Lescott Everton 0 0Phil Neville Everton 58 0Micah Richards Manchester City 7 1Nicky Shorey Reading 2 0John Terry Chelsea 42 3Gareth Barry Aston Villa 12 0David Bentley Blackburn Rovers 1 0Joe Cole Chelsea 43 7Stewart Downing Middlesbrough 15 0Steven Gerrard Liverpool 59 12Frank Lampard Chelsea 56 13Shaun Wright-Phillips Chelsea 15 2 Ashley Young Aston Villa 0 0Dean Ashton West Ham United 0 0Peter Crouch Liverpool 21 12Jermaine Defoe Tottenham Hotspur 24 3Andy Johnson Everton 8 0Michael Owen Newcastle United 85 40Wayne Rooney Manchester United 38 12Alan Smith Newcastle United 18 1</pre>
10-05-2007, 11:16 PM
Arise, comrades! England v Estonia & Russia v England *match spoilers, and McClaren turning out to be not that bad after all* Post #89
England manager Steve McClaren admits he may be prepared to leave out skipper John Terry for next Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia.
The Chelsea captain picked up a booking in the 3-0 win over Israel and another yellow would put him out of the clash with Russia four days later.
"Leaving Terry out would be a massive call," McClaren admitted.
"We must look at the bigger picture. We have a few players on bookings and we have to take that into account."
Terry is currently playing through the pain barrier with a fractured cheekbone and a broken toe and showed his commitment to the Chelsea cause by wearing a face-protecting mask in Wednesday's Champions League win over Valencia.
He will be desperate to lead England out against struggling Estonia, but together with Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole, he is one caution away from missing the trip to Russia on 17 October.
"It is a consideration," confirmed McClaren. "I have to ask myself do I want to risk losing someone?
"It means picking a team for Estonia is not an entirely straightforward issue, there are other factors involved as well.
"Clearly though, our priority is to win and avoid dropping points at home as we did against Macedonia. If we do that, what happens in Russia is irrelevant.
"John will know where the line is between being brave and foolhardy and the medical people will know it too because they are the ones who are closest to him," he said.
"I picked him as captain because he epitomises what an England captain should be.
"On Saturday night, when everyone was saying he would be out for weeks, he told me he would be playing on Wednesday.
"He wants to play in every game and miss nothing. But it is a difficult balance. You would never put any player at risk."
Apart from worries over Terry, the England coach also selected Frank Lampard and Michael Owen in a 27-man squad that includes West Ham's Dean Ashton, even though both men are only due to make their comebacks from injury on Sunday.
Lampard's inclusion creates another issue, given Gareth Barry performed so well in central midfield alongside Gerrard as England romped to successive three-goal wins last month.
"Frank gives us another option because he is a midfield player who can score goals, which is something we have spoken about before," McClaren said.
"He was man of the match against Germany in August but no individual player has any right to be guaranteed a place in the England side.
"It is on performances and form. I will have no hesitation in picking players I think will win the game. Other players have to understand that."
Meanwhile, McClaren intends to stick with underfire Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson for next weekend's showdown with Estonia.
Robinson received heavy criticism for his performance during his club's 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Monday.
"Paul has never let us down," said McClaren. "He has conceded two goals in qualifying so far, both against Croatia, which were unfortunate, so he has kept plenty of clean sheets.
"I will to talk to him because no goalkeeper likes to concede goals. Even when it is not their fault, they still feel a bit responsible."
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