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McClaren bemoans lack of quality | McClaren bemoans lack of quality |
(about 14 hours later) | |
England manager Steve McClaren blamed his side's lack of attacking quality for their failure to break down a stubborn Macedonia at Old Trafford. | England manager Steve McClaren blamed his side's lack of attacking quality for their failure to break down a stubborn Macedonia at Old Trafford. |
"It's a reality check for everybody," McClaren told BBC Sport after England dropped the first points of their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. | "It's a reality check for everybody," McClaren told BBC Sport after England dropped the first points of their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. |
"We have to work harder and make sure in the next game we are better. | "We have to work harder and make sure in the next game we are better. |
"We were not good enough going forward, our passing, our final ball and our final finish. It wasn't clinical." | |
onClick="javascript:launchAVConsoleStory('5416734'); return false;" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/video_and_audio/help_guide/4304501.stm">Highlights: England 0-0 Macedonia Interview: England boss Steve McClaren | |
He added: "If you look at the game overall a draw was probably a fair result but we are very disappointed. | He added: "If you look at the game overall a draw was probably a fair result but we are very disappointed. |
Not at the present moment - I haven't even given it a thought McClaren on recalling David Beckham | Not at the present moment - I haven't even given it a thought McClaren on recalling David Beckham |
"We know that that was not good enough. We have to play better than that. We are playing Macedonia at home and we expect to score in our home games. | "We know that that was not good enough. We have to play better than that. We are playing Macedonia at home and we expect to score in our home games. |
"We did well to keep a clean sheet and get the point but we have to do better than that. | "We did well to keep a clean sheet and get the point but we have to do better than that. |
"We didn't have the instant drive, pace power and passion going forward that we have had in other games. I don't know why that is and we will have to look at it." | "We didn't have the instant drive, pace power and passion going forward that we have had in other games. I don't know why that is and we will have to look at it." |
Midfielder Steven Gerrard was booked during the match and will now miss the game against Croatia on Wednesday. | Midfielder Steven Gerrard was booked during the match and will now miss the game against Croatia on Wednesday. |
"Obviously we are going to miss Stevie," added McClaren. "I thought it was a harsh booking but we have got to live with that and make sure that whoever steps in and whatever we play we cope with it." | "Obviously we are going to miss Stevie," added McClaren. "I thought it was a harsh booking but we have got to live with that and make sure that whoever steps in and whatever we play we cope with it." |
Asked whether he might recall former England captain David Beckham, he said: "Not at the present moment. I haven't even given it a thought. | Asked whether he might recall former England captain David Beckham, he said: "Not at the present moment. I haven't even given it a thought. |
"We'll reflect on the game, look at what we've got and see the injuries. | "We'll reflect on the game, look at what we've got and see the injuries. |
"We'll get the squad together on Sunday evening and go through it and make sure that in Croatia we are better." | "We'll get the squad together on Sunday evening and go through it and make sure that in Croatia we are better." |
England captain John Terry was left ruing a frustrating time in front of goal but says his side need to put the draw behind them and focus on the game in Croatia. | England captain John Terry was left ruing a frustrating time in front of goal but says his side need to put the draw behind them and focus on the game in Croatia. |
"I felt the opportunity was going to come, sometimes it goes in like it has recently - but it didn't," he said. | "I felt the opportunity was going to come, sometimes it goes in like it has recently - but it didn't," he said. |
"You can see the frustration in the lads, at the end when they are bombing forward, trying to make it happen." | "You can see the frustration in the lads, at the end when they are bombing forward, trying to make it happen." |
He added: "We can't dwell on this. We need to get together and we've got four days to put it right. Hopefully, we can do it on Wednesday." | He added: "We can't dwell on this. We need to get together and we've got four days to put it right. Hopefully, we can do it on Wednesday." |