McClaren speaks out at critics

$pawn

England faces the Netherlands in a friendly game on Wednesday, with boss McClaren clearly feeling the heat from the media.

McClaren also reacted angrily to suggestions he and assistant Terry Venables were at odds over the reason for dropping Stewart Downing in Zagreb.

McClaren told The Sun: "It was a private matter between myself and Downing. We've drawn a line under it.

"He knows me and I know him. We've worked together for five years now. We move on and that's why I included him in the squad. The Croatia game is gone."

McClaren insists Downing was left out for tactical reasons, but Venables later claimed the midfielder was left out because his confidence was shot to pieces after being booed against Macedonia.

Asked if he had seen Venables' comments, McClaren said: "I didn't read that. I can't comment on something I've not read.

"But I wasn't embarrassed by it. If that's the question, then no I wasn't.

"I'm answering no more questions on Stewart Downing. Why are you trying to separate the players and myself or even the staff. That's ridiculous.

"We've got a game tomorrow and we shouldn't be sat here talking about problems and trying to divide.

"Let's give this team confidence and get behind the players."

McClaren also backed keeper Paul Robinson over Gary Neville's infamous own goal against Croatia: "The criticism Paul Robinson received was ridiculous."

Australia 1-1 Ghana
Wales 4-0 Liech'stein
Wed., Nov. 15
Estonia 2-1 Belarus
Malta 1-4 Lithuania
Slovakia 3-1 Bulgaria
Holland 1-1 England
France 1-0 Greece
Switzerland 1-2 Brazil
Spain 0-1 Romania
Austria 4-1 Trin-Tob.
Georgia 2-0 Uruguay
Italy 1-1 Turkey
Hungary 1-0 Canada
Egypt 1-0 South Africa
Serbia 1-1 Norway
Czech Rep. 1-1 Denmark
Ivory Coast 1-0 Sweden

Source: Fox Sports

He should be fired, hes worse then sven. I mean he has barly won any games. hes just no tthe right guy for the job.

Gerrard

True, he dropped Beckham for starters.

Styles™

This could very well be his last year IMO, his records not great, and hasn't brought anything big to them, last year for him IMO, but I don't see him gone as a soccer coach forever, someone else will want him...

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Gerrard

McClaren was trying to create controversy by dropping Beckham, he wants to bring in young players. But we sometimes do need Beckham, Gerrard plays best in middle.

Mr. AZ

Jeez, he's only been in a few months. Give the team time to get used to McLaren being in complete control, they'll gel.