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McClaren shoulders blame for loss McClaren shoulders blame for loss
(10 minutes later)
Steve McClaren blamed England's 2-0 defeat to Croatia on his tactical plan to try and stifle Slaven Bilic's side.Steve McClaren blamed England's 2-0 defeat to Croatia on his tactical plan to try and stifle Slaven Bilic's side.
"We lost the game so obviously the tactics didn't work," said England coach McClaren as he reflected on his decision to deploy a 3-5-2 formation."We lost the game so obviously the tactics didn't work," said England coach McClaren as he reflected on his decision to deploy a 3-5-2 formation.
"We'll look at it more thoroughly and I always believe we do need to changesystems and we do need another one."We'll look at it more thoroughly and I always believe we do need to changesystems and we do need another one.
"It was my decision to change and we lost the game so it's my responsibility," added McClaren."It was my decision to change and we lost the game so it's my responsibility," added McClaren.
It was a freak goal,/CPS:QUOTE>Paul Robinson It was a freak goal Paul Robinson
The England boss admitted he is bracing himself for a media mauling after the embarrassing Euro 2008 Group E qualifying defeat, his first since he succeeded Sven-Goran Eriksson.The England boss admitted he is bracing himself for a media mauling after the embarrassing Euro 2008 Group E qualifying defeat, his first since he succeeded Sven-Goran Eriksson.
"I knew that was part of the job when I took over," McClaren told BBC Radio Five Live. I've seen it for the last five years."I knew that was part of the job when I took over," McClaren told BBC Radio Five Live. I've seen it for the last five years.
"I have to accept that criticism, because it is my responsibility. I pick the players and I pick the system."I have to accept that criticism, because it is my responsibility. I pick the players and I pick the system.
"If we win I accept the plaudits, but if we lose I accept the criticism. I'm not going to shy away from it.""If we win I accept the plaudits, but if we lose I accept the criticism. I'm not going to shy away from it."
McClaren added: "But it just makes me more determined and the players to turn it around."McClaren added: "But it just makes me more determined and the players to turn it around."
England have picked up just one point in their last two Group E games, but McClaren remained bullish over his side's chances of reaching the Euro 2008 finals.England have picked up just one point in their last two Group E games, but McClaren remained bullish over his side's chances of reaching the Euro 2008 finals.
"There are enough points to play for so we'll be okay."There are enough points to play for so we'll be okay.
"It's going to be difficult. Everyone has opinions, but I've said to theplayers we've got to stick together."It's going to be difficult. Everyone has opinions, but I've said to theplayers we've got to stick together.
"Their attitude has been magnificent and we'll turn it around.""Their attitude has been magnificent and we'll turn it around."
Croatia's second goal as summed up England's lacklustre performance.Croatia's second goal as summed up England's lacklustre performance.
Gary Neville's back-pass struck a divot as goalkeeper Paul Robinson went to clear, with the ball rolling over the line.Gary Neville's back-pass struck a divot as goalkeeper Paul Robinson went to clear, with the ball rolling over the line.
"It was a freak goal," said Robinson. "It happened where the Croatiangoalkeeper was taking his kicks and it left divots in the pitch."It was a freak goal," said Robinson. "It happened where the Croatiangoalkeeper was taking his kicks and it left divots in the pitch.
"He had been taking goal-kicks in the first half and there were huge holes inthe pitch."He had been taking goal-kicks in the first half and there were huge holes inthe pitch.
"I went to kick Gary's pass, there was a bobble and then the ball wasn'tthere. It was an absolute freak and there was nothing I could do about it.""I went to kick Gary's pass, there was a bobble and then the ball wasn'tthere. It was an absolute freak and there was nothing I could do about it."