Croatia Vs England
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Steve McClaren is set to plump for a 3-5-2 formation against Croatia on Wednesday due to the absence of Ledley King and Steven Gerrard.
England travel to Zagreb looking to make amends for Saturday's disappointing goalless draw with Macedonia in Group E.
And coach Steve McClaren is set to ring the changes in a bid to overcome a team that have not lost a competitive match at home for 16 years.
Full-backs Gary Neville and Ashley Cole will be asked to push forward into wing-back roles, with Jamie Carragher joining John Terry and Rio Ferdinand - who has recovered from a back spasm to replace knee injury victim King - in a three-man central defence.
McClaren and Terry Venables pondered using 3-5-2 at Old Trafford before deciding against - but this time they are expected to change the 4-4-2 system due to Gerrard's suspension.
Stewart Downing is expected to drop to the bench, with Scott Parker called up to drop anchor and give Michael Carrick and Frank Lampard freedom to move forward in central midfield.
Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch should once again lead the line, with Jermain Defoe again warming the bench.
England (probable): Robinson; Carragher, Terry, Ferdinand; G Neville, A Cole, Parker, Carrick, Lampard; Rooney, Crouch.
LAMPARD VOWS TO STAND UP AND BE COUNT
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/euro2008/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/10/10/SOCCER_England_Lampard.html -
England is not doing well, but even they win this match they will draw or lose the next 2 match. Cos they are too complacent liao, also under estimate opposition like end of the world cup they though they are damn good but actually they are just the 2nd best. This time after a draw at home, they will push hard for a win. Then after winning, they forget how to play football.
Such a 1/2 hearted team don't deserve any credit from us. -
I'm rooting for Croatia to beat England by 3 goals
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go go niko kranjcar!!!
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IF England Play 3-5-2 which can interchange when change into defense 5-3-2
GK : Robinson
LCB : Carragher
CB : Terry
RCB : Ferdinard
Left WB - Ashley Cole / Wayne Bridge
Right WB - Phil Neville / Gary Neville
Left CM - Lampard
CM - Parker (more defensive)
Right CM - Rooney / Wright Philips
LCF - Crouch
RCF - Bent / Rooney
bent and rooney and ferdinard are on the right as they can provide more crosses
But I think England Will Play The Following Players in a 3-5-2 fomation as maclaren insist on using Carrick Which i deemed not so useful in this england set up as Lampard can provide long passes and last match England got 2 long ball providers Gerrard and Lampard........so hopefully this match carrick can do more play making
GK : Robinson
LCB : Carragher
CB : Terry
RCB : Ferdinard
Left WB - Ashley Cole
Right WB - Gary Neville
Left CM - Lampard
CM - Parker (more defensive)
Right CM - Carrick
LCF - Crouch
RCF - Rooney -
ENG is asking for trouble by playin 3-5-2,
most likely their wingbacks will b Cole at left n Neville at right,
Neville is not well known for his spd while
Cole i think will be able to fit tat slot.
Its a suicide move by the coach. -
I think McClaren doesn't have what it takes. Ok let's wait and see. Skali tonite Eng thrash Croatia?
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After seeing Walcott on tuesday nite against Germany under 21, he deserve to be in England squad. Wenger is right about what this 17 year old can do. Sven made a mistake not to play him in WC. And under 21 is more a faster game.
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it just started..
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England and it is as expected with boss Steve McClaren opting for a 3-5-2. Jamie Carragher and Rio Ferdinand join John Terry in a back three and Scott Parker comes in.
England: Robinson, G Neville, A Cole, Carragher, Ferdinand, Terry (captain); Carrick, Lampard, Parker; Rooney, Crouch. -
Croatia!!!!!!!!!!
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croatia have like 5 defenders against 2 england forwards...looking to win on the counter?
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They almost score!
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cro 1 eng 0.. cool..
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oops.. it happen too fast..
Cro 2 Eng 0..
Oops slip of leg.. -
G Neville first goal after 84 cap what a joker.
Think SM know they lose so put a 3-5-2, later have excuse! -
see la that Maclaren..........already said here before gary neville should be dropped for phil neville and Carrick for parker and SWP for suspended Gerrard
and continue using 4-4-2 formation and dropping rooney for bent
see now how it turn out =X i am savouring every minute now till 90 minutes to see england lose because of a lousy manager -
Croatia 2 - 0 England
Da Silva Eduardo (61)
Gary Neville (og 69)
Richardson for P Crouch (72)
Defoe for S Parker (72)
Wright-Phillips for J Carragher(73)
See how they will sack SM? -
Soccernet
Comedy in Croatia
In a match that will be less remembered as Steve McClaren's first defeat as England boss, Paul Robinson fell victim to one of football's soon-to-be-infamous howlers as he completely miskicked to give a Croatia a 2-0 victory over England. Eduardo had capitalised on a defensive shambles to put the home team up in a game they were never threatened in as McClaren's 3-5-2- tactic flopped. -
sacking him is not an option..........I think sometimes the manager should get this right that micheal carrick must be drop
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yawn, sian forget to watch this match...
they so sway like Portugal, also lose 2-1 with a late goal..
Sian whats happening man.. -
mcclaren's inept tactical incompetency is showing early.....
i hv maintain all along the england's job is too big for him. he can't even manage a club side well, and no pedigree fo winning.
i know some will reserve judgement since it's only half dozen games he's been thru' but seriously, can u hire this guy who hasn't won anything in charge to lead england to glories? he know he's not even first choice. -
i guess steven gerrard was missed here...
not surprise by the outcome since croatia never lost in their home match before. lampard sucks by the way by boosting to break the croatia home record.
for your info this is another rooney play - england jinx match.
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Bilic: England played straight into my hands
http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=14447
yes i agree with this croatia coach
and the croatia coach and players are also good @ playing mind games with England by saying that they won't dare to use 3-5-2 taunts them which Maclaren Stupidly fall into it and lost 2-0 -
ani1 got link for the gary neville own goal...?