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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| McClaren angered by rift reports | McClaren angered by rift reports |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Steve McClaren has accused the media of trying to create divisions in the England camp with suggestions he is at odds with assistant Terry Venables. | Steve McClaren has accused the media of trying to create divisions in the England camp with suggestions he is at odds with assistant Terry Venables. |
| McClaren and Venables appeared to contradict each other over the reasons for dropping Stewart Downing for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia. | McClaren and Venables appeared to contradict each other over the reasons for dropping Stewart Downing for the Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia. |
| But the England coach hit back: "This is getting out of hand. I won't answer any more questions on Stewart Downing. | But the England coach hit back: "This is getting out of hand. I won't answer any more questions on Stewart Downing. |
| "Why are you trying to separate players and myself and even the staff?" | "Why are you trying to separate players and myself and even the staff?" |
| Interview: England goalkeepeing coach Ray Clemence News conference: England boss Steve McClaren | Interview: England goalkeepeing coach Ray Clemence News conference: England boss Steve McClaren |
| In his Sunday newspaper column, Venables said Downing was dropped because his confidence was destroyed by criticism in the media after his performance in the 0-0 draw with Macedonia. | In his Sunday newspaper column, Venables said Downing was dropped because his confidence was destroyed by criticism in the media after his performance in the 0-0 draw with Macedonia. |
| However, Downing said he was told by McClaren the decision was purely tactical. | However, Downing said he was told by McClaren the decision was purely tactical. |
| The England boss insisted he had not read Venables' column and added: "It's a private matter between me and Stewart. We've drawn a line under it." | The England boss insisted he had not read Venables' column and added: "It's a private matter between me and Stewart. We've drawn a line under it." |
| And England goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence insisted McClaren and Venables are "working very well together". | |
| He said: "It is always interesting to see how they exchange ideas." | |
| McClaren was also upset by criticism of Paul Robinson after the goalkeeper miskicked a Gary Neville backpass to gift Croatia their second goal in the defeat in Zagreb. | McClaren was also upset by criticism of Paul Robinson after the goalkeeper miskicked a Gary Neville backpass to gift Croatia their second goal in the defeat in Zagreb. |
| "The criticism Paul Robinson received was ridiculous," said McClaren. | "The criticism Paul Robinson received was ridiculous," said McClaren. |
| "He was 90 minutes away from breaking Gordon Banks' record of clean sheets then gets personal criticism I found totally out of order. | "He was 90 minutes away from breaking Gordon Banks' record of clean sheets then gets personal criticism I found totally out of order. |
| "I'm behind Paul Robinson. He's the number one goalkeeper." | "I'm behind Paul Robinson. He's the number one goalkeeper." |