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| Euro 2008 Qualifiers; Football | |
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| Topic Started: Sep 10 2007, 03:25 AM (139 Views) | |
| Ninja Boi | Nov 18 2007, 03:55 PM Post #31 |
The Lego Master
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| Ninja Boi | Nov 20 2007, 02:57 AM Post #32 |
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The Lego Master
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Vital must win or draw match! England v Croatia Wembley, London Wednesday 21 November Kick-off: 2000 GMT Coverage: Live on BBC One & BBC Radio 5 Live (commentary on BBC Sport website for UK users only); Coverage on BBC Sport website Steve McClaren says there can be no excuses if England fail to reach Euro 2008 - after being thrown a lifeline by Israel's 2-1 win over Russia. England face Croatia on Wednesday and need a point to clinch qualification. "Qualification is key. We're back in control and in the driving seat and it's up to us," said the England coach. "There are no excuses. We've got to make sure we qualify. Croatia have nothing to play for but are a very good side and capable of winning this game." News conference: England coach Steve McClaren McClaren has vowed England will try to beat Croatia rather than play safe and seek the draw which would see them qualify for Euro 2008. It would be a great boost to get the media, fans and people on the street behind us England boss Steve McClaren "All we need to do is draw, but we've got to be positive," said McClaren. "We've got to attack, be up-tempo and really go to win the game. We've got to make sure that we're not negative. "We have got to make sure that complacency does not set in and make sure we are focused." McClaren, who has come in from some heavy criticism during England's rollercoaster qualifying campaign for next summer's finals in Austria and Switzerland, feels the supporters need to be as positive as the players. "Expectations I know are great, but you can't do it without the fans," he said. "It's about sticking together, being positive and getting behind the team. "It can be a fantastic atmosphere at Wembley and it can be intimidating for the opposition, while boosting our own players and we need that. "We have to perform, and it would be a great boost to get the media, fans and people on the street behind us." Russia would have qualified with a win in Israel, after placing themselves in the driving seat after a 2-1 victory over England last month, but their fate is now out of their hands. And McClaren admitted England have nowhere to hide after they were handed the unexpected reprieve. He added: "The players are all buoyed with the Israel-Russia result, and the opportunity they have. "I think the feeling is we've got a great chance now, it's up to us, there are no excuses." One supporter who will be fully behind the team on Wednesday is captain John Terry. The Chelsea defender is recovering from a knee operation having been out of action since injuring himself in training the day before England defeat in Russia last month. Many newspapers on Monday had linked the centre-back with a shock return to the squad. An FA spokesman told BBC Sport: "He will not be training with England on Monday. "As things stand, John will be on the bench on Wednesday giving his support to his team-mates." # Striker Mladen Petric is Croatia's only doubt for the match after the Borussia Dortmund frontman reported ill on Monday. The squad will travel to London on Tuesday. |
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| Ninja Boi | Nov 21 2007, 05:53 PM Post #33 |
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The Lego Master
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THE VITAL QUALIFIERS Group F Spain v Northern Ireland (1900) Match preview Sweden v Latvia (1900) Group E England v Croatia (2000) Match preview Andorra v Russia (2000) OTHER MATCH Group C Germany v Wales (1930) |
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| Wolverine | Nov 21 2007, 10:19 PM Post #34 |
Dangerous when provoked
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Sorry about the result ninjy bruv :hugz |
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| Ninja Boi | Nov 22 2007, 12:42 PM Post #35 |
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The Lego Master
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Thankgod they sacked that idiot today!! <_< McClaren sacked as England coach Steve McClaren McClaren's England finished third in the Euro 2008 qualifying table Steve McClaren has been sacked as England coach following his side's failure to qualify for Euro 2008. Assistant coach Terry Venables has also lost his job in what the Football Association said was a unanimous decision by its board. The FA brought a swift end to McClaren's 18-match reign as England's head coach at an emergency meeting. McClaren's position had become untenable after the 3-2 defeat to Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday. News conference: FA confirm McClaren sacking Feature: A look back at McClaren's tenure McClaren's failure to qualify for Euro 2008 cost him his job, said FA chief executive Brian Barwick. "I spoke to Steve this morning - we get on very well with him. I've had many grown-up conversations and had another one with him this morning - and I can only wish him well. But in the end, not qualifying for Euro 2008 comes up short," said Barwick. 606: DEBATE Why the FA must change after McClaren sacking McClaren's reign was the shortest tenure of any England coach. FA chairman Geoff Thompson said: "Like every England fan, we are all bitterly disappointed that we have failed to qualify for Euro 2008, and I know Steve feels that disappointment more than anyone. "Of course we have no divine right to play in major tournaments, but it is quite right that qualification is expected. "I would like to thank Steve for the work he has done since taking on the position last summer. His commitment to the job could not be questioned and I wish him the best for the future. "The recruitment process for the new coach begins now and we will do everything to get the right man for the job." McClaren, 46, who had a four-year deal, is expected to be paid more than £2m in compensation and ex-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and Martin O'Neill are the bookies' favourites to succeed him. Former Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello has said he would be interested in the job. We have let the fans down, and I apologise for that FA chief executive Brian Barwick BBC football correspondent Jonathan Legard said: "There will be plenty of pressure within the media to have Martin O'Neill but the FA may feel that is a backwards step - he wasn't good enough when McClaren was appointed, so is he the one to take England forward now?" The FA has plenty of time to search for a replacement with the next scheduled fixture a friendly in France at the end of March. Barwick confirmed that nationality would not be an issue as he leads the search to find McClaren's successor. He also admitted that errors were made in the selection process when McClaren was appointed in May 2006. "The recruitment process for the new coach begins now and we will do everything to get the right man for the job," said Barwick. "It will be done differently. We've got to learn lessons from the way we did it." "Qualification for a major tournament is probably a minimum requirement." Barwick also said he did not regret giving McClaren a four-year contract. "The contract is a private contract. I don't regret that now; I think he has tried very hard." FA board director and Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards defended Barwick, saying: "Brian has taken a lot of stick about him being the sole person to appoint McClaren. "This responsibility has to be shared among us all. It's unfair to say he was Brian's man - he was the FA's man." On the issue of the number of overseas players in the top flight, Richards added: "You would know as well as anybody that the Premier League is the best in the world, because it has the best stars in the world. "There are also rules in the European Union that allow players to come, and clubs will pick the best stars." The financial loss to the FA of not qualifying is less than £5m FA chief executive Brian Barwick Barwick said he felt embarrassed and disappointed about the situation. "I'd like to apologise to the fans personally. "I care about this passionately, it has never been just a job. I'm in it because I care about football, football fans and football teams. "Last night was a tough, tough night. We care about this very much. I understand we have let them down and apologise for that." Former Middlesbrough boss McClaren admitted before the Croatia match that he would "take responsibility" if England failed to reach the European Championship finals in Austria and Switzerland. The FA took action to dismiss McClaren ahead of the 2010 World Cup qualifying draw in Durban, South Africa, on Sunday. England's failure to reach a major tournament for the first time since the 1994 World Cup finals will cost the FA at least £5m in lost revenues, confirmed Barwick. Thompson promised the FA would conduct a "root-and-branch" review of the England team set-up, and that would be led by chief executive Brian Barwick with immediate effect. |
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6:55 AM Nov 27
