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From The Times

February 8, 2007

McClaren’s misfits fail to find answers to Spanish inquisition

Matt Hughes

For a man who clings to positives like a crutch, it must have been galling for Steve McClaren to accept the verdict of the crowd who booed his players off after Spain’s 1-0 win at Old Trafford last night. The England head coach deviated from his usual script by accepting that his side had underperformed and were deserving of derision after Andrés Iniesta’s second-half goal condemned them to a first home defeat since November 2003.

In the wake of a second loss in three matches, the questions over McClaren’s position will last longer than the deep midwinter chill, though for the first time in his brief reign he pointed the finger at his players. “There were a few performances that were not up to their usual standards,” McClaren said. “Nobody’s blind to the fact that we lacked that quality in the final third, the final ball and final cross that wins you matches. The attitude and the effort were there, it was the quality.

“It’s disappointing to lose, obviously, and I can understand the reaction. We finished on a low, we know that. It’s a huge disappointment and we can’t get away from that. If we lose at Old Trafford we expect and understand that reaction.”

Gary Neville, however, disagreed vehemently, criticising the fans who booed the team off. “You expect that with England nowadays,” the Manchester United full back said. “It’s easy to boo England. The fans come along and are entitled to do what they want, but I’m very lucky I play for a club where the supporters are more accommodating with the players and the performances.

“With England, though, it’s always been the same. You lose a game and you get booed.”

McClaren’s defence began with the absence of six first-choice players through injury, though that does not excuse the way in which he deployed his depleted resources. With the right-footed Phil Neville at left back and no midfield player in front of him, England looked disjointed from the outset.

“It’s not an excuse, but there were six or seven players missing who would have been in the starting line-up,” McClaren countered. “It was about looking at Kieron Dyer, Jonathan Woodgate and Ben Foster, who are three positives who will strengthen the squad.”

The statistics make grim reading, however. It is four matches and five months since his side tasted victory — an unconvincing 1-0 win against the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in Skopje — and his seven-game reign has yielded just three wins in total. Although calls for his head are hysterical given that the European Championship qualifying campaign remains in its infancy, they will gather momentum if England fail to win their group E qualifier away to Israel next month.

Even for Spain, victory was regarded as pyrrhic in some quarters. After a calamitous start to their Euro 2008 campaign, some of the country’s media descended on Manchester praying for a defeat that would end the reign of Luis Aragonés, their coach. As it was, cleared of racist conduct yesterday by a Spanish court over his infamous rant about Thierry Henry in October 2004, he was just about the only man to enjoy a profitable day.

The 6-3 defeat by Hungary in 1953 emphasised our lack of technical ability. Little has changed since. Though gung-ho wise we are probably second to none, technically our players are, and always have been, with the possible exception of a sparing number of players at the top, third rate. Youngsters at clubs in Spain practise, mainly with a ball, for two hours a night at least two nights a week, and, if the club is professional four or five. Brazilian hopefuls double this. Two English clubs illustrate our commitment. Oldham Athletic youngsters train twice weekly, one and half hours per session. Rochdale only manage two one-hour sessions. Running, at both clubs, perhaps takes half the time. They aren’t unique. Please – have a complete overhaul. Look at what other countries do to nurture talent. Take the best ideas. Train the kids properly and emphasise Futebol de Salão. Perhaps we’ll get there, but then again, perhaps not. I’ve been waiting over 50 years.

Alan Bray, Santander, Spain

If Gary Neville takes that view perhaps he should stick to club football - I don't want him in our England side with that attitude - besides Mica Richards looked not only a whole lot better but a whole lot more enthusiastic.

richardw, Bristol,

Why Spanish inquisition?? They only play better...

Harold, Liverpool, GB

In fact, England and Spain have a big problem. The spanish football is boring and we don´t know what game style are we playing. Under my viewpoint the differents teams must think about what are they looking for in a future and them to planificate a competitive game style. Good look from Spain...you will need it¡

Jose Miguel Espinosa, MADRID, Spain

Why are national sterotypes always present in UK press sport headlines? The Inquisition has nothing to do with football, and even less with modern Spain.

Luis, Madrid, Spain

What more does Matt Taylor need to do to earn himself an England call up?
He's been a vital member of a Portsmouth side who have shot up the table, he's played his part in a mean defence and in a creative midfield, he can score spectacular goals and he seems to have the passion and drive lacking from so many of England's big players.

Ben Packer, Manchester, England

As a Spanish one, I'm proud of my team, it is great to win England in Old Trafford. Althouh we are the best team when there is nothing to win: no cup, no official trophy, not even a semifinal match... we can only win when it doesn't matter.
Anyway, I like our midfielder players: Xavi, Cesc and Xabi Alonso. They are young, let's see what they can do in the future

plutonio, Madrid, Spain

you invented footbal, let playing for professionals ;-)

sds, paris, france

Tactically inept, again! Begs the question what do the players do when they get together, compare bling?? Gerrard and Lampard are individually great players but for the good of the team, McClaren has to make THE decision and while he is agonising over which to drop he should beg Scholes to comeback. There is a huge creative void at the heart of the team that Scholes would fill. Its not guts or character that we lack but skill and technique at the highest level.

Peter Ho, London, uk

“With England, though, it’s always been the same. You lose a game and you get booed.” -Gary Neville

Footballers earn in half a week, what I, and most of the crowd at Old Trafford, earn in a year. When one is paid that much money, it is only natural to expect them to perform. Footballers have it easy. If they dont perform, their manager gets the sack and they still get paid. In worse situations, they dont get to play, but still get paid. Company CEOs and executive directors get paid a lot less than them, but when they fail, THEY get the sack.

Gary Neville has no right to whinge.

Pete, Cov,

Gary Neville is wrong to say that the England team suffer from fans when they lose a match.. The England team are only booed when their performance is abysmal - it was last night. A reminder to Mr Neville that he should not undermine fans who pay hard earned money to watch performances. His comment on fans summed up the arrogance of many England players.

I disagreed with the appointment of the England Manager and the performance last night showed his ineptness.

Liz, Lincoln, England

The best thing about last night's game was the final whistle. We played with no pace or imagination. How can players supposedly the cream of english talent not be able to pass the ball and retain possession. We should have seen Barry start at left back. Phil Neville has been playing well for Everton in central mid but is not naturally left footed. In a game the manager needed to win he pick one striker who has not been playing that regularly. Defoe has hit 13 goals in his last 20 games and this is deemed not good enough? By continually picking the same underperforming stars you are holding back players who are hungry and might actually show some passion. Gary Neville complained about the England fans yet Micah Richard did more in 15 mins than he managed in the previous 75. A few senior feathers need to be ruffled. Hopefully the likes of Lennon, Richards, Barry and Barton will be given the chance to outshine the foolishly named "golden generation"

Matthew Kemp, Bath, BANES

There is no defending england on recent performances and in all fairness since the 4-1 drubbing of holland in the europeon championship under the wing of terry venables i have not seen an england performance worthy of any acclaim. The issue is not the stage, the fans or even the manager it is simply the fact that despite the wealth of talent we have no consitancy and no imagination. Last nights game made the coments by others that england play boring football never more so true. A balance of experiance and determination, pressence and passion is whats needed. We dont need a manager to make bid desicions or one to cuddle the players, we need a visionary and our wealth of talent to gel and play the kinda game for club and for country. Stand up and be counted!!!

Lee Townsend, york, England

Calls for McClaren's head are not hysterical if you are one of the many who foresaw that a man who was as underqualified for the job as he is should not have been appointed in the first place. As Sven's assistant McClaren's complicity in England's dull, unimaginative and unsuccessful performances was known to all; as Middlesborough's manager he could do no more than keep a mediocre club in a mediocre position in the premiership and had he still been the manager there this season there would have been a lot of smart money on their filling a relegation spot. Oh, but I forget, to the FA he is polite, subservient and safe - far more important criteria than the imagination and canniness of the more volatile and less controllable Allardyce. The fact that under Allardyce we would actually win matches would not have troubled the FA's thinking. McClaren's position is safe no matter how much he ought to go - he continues to satisfy the FA's (football-free) criteria.

James Wheeldon, Louth, UK

If Maclaren were world class he would be managing a world class club, he is not and he will not. World class clubs are managed by driven people who demand success and get it, the FA does not, if the FA knew what the requirements for success were, Mclaren would never have been appointed in the first place. Without the world class foreign players, the premiership would be very different spectacle, as reflected by the performances of the England team, very ordinary, not very talented and, certainly overpaid.

Kevin Sullivan, London, UK

I agree that the FA have to take a large amount of the blame for Englands dire performances of late. That organisation must be one of the most poorly run in world football, lacking any good morale judgement. This as a result has lead to them appointing a manager nobody wanted and very few people think is good enough to do the job. What England fans wanted was a man who is tactially aware enough to mold a good bunch of players into a winning team which is something Steve Maclaren is clearly not as he proved with middlesboro. If that person has to be a foreign coach then so be it, i really don't think any English football fan would be worrying what country the manager is from as we watched him parade a trophy around Trafalgar Square now would we.

Richard, Coventry, England

Finally, now England can realise that no matter what they do, they are underachievers.

Jess, Reading, UK

Don´t you worry britons. Lucky enough, France and Brazil bsunk as well and you may enjoy such a companionship as you wouldn´t, for that.

As to the comentary on the spanish inquisition to portrait your loss, It is rather a disturbance to behold England becoming America. By accepting such comentaries through your media, you are more and more sounding and looking as such. As well as you are playing as such.

A star sprangled union jack is something the world simply do not deserve. Let us just stick to global warming and terrorism for the time being.

Best regards.

Bruno Delayti, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

(Sorry for my english) In modern football the ball must run over the grass, not 20 meters over the grass. England midfielders have not cuality whith the ball in his feet, running all the time is not enough in order to win an international game. The english arguments are: play hard, long passes and the dangerous corners. You need players as Xavi or Iniesta and we need more cojones, a killer and more midfielders as Lampard.
Don´t worry, spanish situation is worse than yours, we will not play the Euro and after yesterday´s game we will have Luis Aragones for years.
P.D. Please stop with topics as inquisición, sunshine, toros and paella, Spain is more than this, many english now it.

Roberto, Madrid, Spain

As a Canadian soccer fan I am forced to endure poor performances lacking in imagination and skill. I don't expect to see similar performances when I watch the England National Team. Unfortunately that appears to be the case. Unimaginative football lacking in soft touch skill and technique was woefully evident against Spain. Perhaps the soccer "Gurus"in England and Canada should have watched the Portugal-Brazil game from the day before. There was an example of how the game should be played. Back to the drawing board for both countries.

Ken, Winnipeg, Canada

Once again, with all the hype about how our Premiership league is the best in the world, our 'stars' underachieve. How do you motivate somebody who is on £20,000+ a week anyway. To be honest we're rubbish and it's as simple as that..

Mr Pingree, Rotherham, UK

Another disappointing England game- surprise, surprise! I think the time for hard decisions to be made has come. Yes, it was easy enough dropping David Beckham he was past it. However, when it comes to England's midfield does McClaren have the courage of his convictions to start with one of his "golden generation" midfielders on the bench? because its clear from yesterday's evidence that Stevie G and Lamps can't play together in the middle of the park what ever the formation (even in a 4-3-3 yesterday). All they do is stifle each other in the same way Carrick's influence through his passing ability is negated. I mean, if Luis Aragonés can leave off Fabergas and Alonso in favour of a more cohesive and functional midfield with Xavi why can't England do the same? As fans we want to see credible solutions for England's lack of creativity on the pitch instead of hearing poor excuses for unacceptable performances off it . We know England has "potential" lets start seeing it on the pitch.

M. Patsika, London,

Yes it is true that there were world class players missing, and yes it was only a friendly, but its a friendly for England. Most of us fans would give anything to pull on an england shirt on a regular occasion, but it seems that some players do not feel the same way.
I do not understand the point of calling up Barry, who has performed well this season, if neville, right footed rememeber, gets ahead of him at left back?!
I did think the formation suited england, but only in the sense that it means that Lampard and Gerrard can play together. One of them has to be dropped if england are to have a balanced team.

Ben Fykin, Essex,

What's wrong with English journalism that it seems impossible to refer to Spain without talking about the inquisition or the Armada. Is that all you can say about the Spanish football team? Spain were simply better on the pitch; is it so difficult to admit?

Nerio, Brussels,

Total rubbish.
The English players have no reason to try. They are too rich for our good.

Dave, London,

Absolutely terrible display - but any fool could tell that would be the case just by glancing at the team sheet. Not quite as appalling as the Croatia debacle (a midfield three of Carrick, Parker and Lampard!?!?!), but predictably poor nonetheless. At least under Sven there was some shape, balance and solidity.

Woodgate at the back? Fine. Phil Neville at left-back? Stupid idea. Gerrard and Lampard AGAIN in midfield? Gutless.

Pick a left-footed Leftback. Put Gerrard or Lampard (maybe 45 mins each) in the centre with Barton to see how they fair. Have two strikers - Crouch and Defoe. It aint rocket science!

Barry Owen, Luton, UK

English footballers are great when surrounded by foreign imports who understand the game, but are useless when they have to think for themselves. The deluded belief that a few clenched fists will beat the 'technically gifted but not up for the fight johnny foreigner' still pervades. Today's generation of players need to understand tactics, then we can be a flexible outfit who react during a game, rather than the 'fish out of water when it's not 442' shower we currently are. Oh, and having more than @ 3 decent players in the country who can kick with their left foot would help as well

Graham Parker, Nottingham,

Is Gary Neville talking about the same set of fans that Roy Keane called the 'Prawn Sandwich Brigade'?. They are too busy stuffing their mouths to boo United even if they were playing mediocre.

kerry livermore, London, England,

I don't really mind losing to Spain in a friendly, especially if it gives us the chance to try out a few new faces and (hopefully) drop a few old ones. Honestly I feel embarassed to see Sponge Head Crouch in an England shirt, whoever thought he would give us an option in the air needs shooting.

Hopefully McClaren will have the balls to drop those players who are not performing and to bring on those who are, if he doesn't then he will effectively be letting the newspapers pick the team for him, playing the countries highest paid players instead of those best suited to each position and who have a passion for the shirt.

Jose and Jaime above, stop getting paranoid, the reference to the Spanish Inquisition is from a famous Monty Python sketch, we do not hate your country, we enjoy its sunshine, its wine and it women, amongst other things....

Sack the Juggler, Douglas, Isle of Man

Who the hell does Gary Neville think he is. The fans turn up on a freezing cold Manchester night to watch over paid egomaniacs trot out the same, tame, lame old crap. What does he think they deserved. A slap on the back and an 'its OK, you did alright' sympathy chat. It was horrendously boring to watch, there was no cohesion and I cant remember Iker Cassilas actually having to do anything. How else are fans supposed to show discontent. A collective BOO is a very clear message that things need to change. They need to remember who they are playing for and who, at the end of the day, puts the ferrari in their garage and the caviar on their table.

A Michie, London,

Steve Maclaren simply dropped the ball against Spain with his strategy and tactics. I was surprised he tried 4-3-3 formation and did not start Micah Richards and Joey Barton from Man. City as well as Stewart Downing of M'Bro (didn't he watch M'Bro's recent 5-1 hammering of Bolton in which Downing was imperious?) I was even more surprised with the selection of Phil Neville at left back - particularly in a friendly. I am concerned England may be hard pressed to qualify for Euro 2008. with this approach. Where was the influence of Terry Venables?

Paul, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Why does England hate so much Spain? With this victory, we are going to have Luis Aragones for years. Spain is not going to go to the Euro 2008. Has Peter Crouch got Danish or Swedish relatives?

José Luis, Madrid, Spain

When you Brits will refrain from refering to the Inquisition or to bull-killers when talking about Spain? Don't you have a little bit more in your brain? I guess this is a severe lack imagination! This comes after and on top of the perverse missinformation of your Spanish reporter (his name is Catan?) theat writes an article where he feels sorry for De Juana Chaos, an ETA terrorist, a convicted murderer that killed 25 people! (The Times, Monday the 5th of Febrauary)
Why don't you change your perceptions on a country that is today one of your EU's partners and a place that hosts you and another 9 million Brits every year in its sunny beaches? Trafalgar and the battles between your Navy's pirates and our Spanish Armada are over long time ago!

Jaime Ferrer, Madrid, Spain

England are crap--they have been as far back as I can remember. Why not get real and start from there?

Since all of these sophisticated tactical endeavors have not panned out, why not take a cue from the lads who play at OT every week and simply go out and try to play the most entertaining attacking footbal you can.

Things could hardly be worse, or more tedious.

Chris, San Diego, CA

Lee Townsend, york, England

There were positives: Woodgate and Barry played very well at the back, Rio had a good game and Gerrard played very well. Once again though we see players being played out of position in order to squeeze them into the squad. When oh when will a manager make the hard decision and pick Gerrard OR Lamps? Phil Neville had a bad game but his brother played very well yet again.

The biggest problem was up front. Playint the ball to Crouch is a good idea if he can lay it off to another striker or flick it on to someone running through but there was very little of that. Dyer didn't play well but showed he has potential, Wright-Phillips needs to work on crosses but showed he can take players on.

If anything it showed a lack of depth in the England squad and lack of courage by Steve M to drop Lamps or Stevie G.

Jim Grimmett, Bath, BANES

Don't worry too much, guys.

Regardless of what happens now, both teams will qualify at the last minute for the next World Cup, and both countries will fall in the traditional, media-fuelled hype ''this time we're gonna win!'' mood, in the run-up to the WC.

And, of course, both teams will fail miserably again, none will make it to the semi-finals, and both will come back full of excuses.

But newspapers and TV ads need to be sold, so we'll all be happily back at it in no time, Euro Cup 2012, WC 2014, and so on.

Sissifus revisited.

jorge, zaragoza, spain

My view is that I should rather spend my time weeding the garden than to watch this present England set up. Clueless if not gutless, they are completely devoid of tactical awareness and creativity. A team so poor that Carlton Palmer & Andy Sinton would not look out of place. Do I not like that!

Liam , Scunthorpe,

What planet is Gary Neville on ? Man Utd are top of the League by six points , why on earth would anyone boo them ? If England had played well and lost then of course they wouldn't have been booed off. The fact is they played crap, have played crap for the past years, and it doesn't suit Mr. Neville to acknowledge this. Its easier to blame the fans. The bloke's a total nonsense !

mike perry, Hartley, Kent

Why was a man, such as Maclaren, owner of possibly the lamest CV in football, given the job? But wait - there was also get-rich-quick Sven . . . it's not so much the managers but the FA that needs serious examination. I am Canadian but have followed the EPL (and football in the UK) my entire lie; I also lived in the UK for 5 years - such clowns, as those running the FA, I have not seen . . .

P Sharma, North Vancouver, BC, Canada