boro_boy
18-11-2007, 14:44
With Croatia and Russia both losing, England have to be favourites on paper, to top the group. But looking on at the paper we have a strong side who should get a result on Wednesday. But when they are on the pitch anything can happen, we are so inconsistent tat the moment, we need to get some consistency and we need someone other than McClaren to kick the players up their arse and get them into gear.
We have the players to beat Coratia on Wednesday but performing on the night will be a totally different story, yes we are at home but will the support get behind the players or if things start badly will the crowd turn against the team and the manager.
Whatever happens this is one of England biggest games for a long time and it should be very entertaining yet nervy.
If England do lose, they are all but certain to crash out. Russia's final match is against group minnows Andorra - currently on a run of 29 successive Euro qualifying defeats - and a Russian victory will put them on 24 points, one ahead of a defeated England.
An England draw coupled with a Russia win means both teams finish on 24 points. England will qualify because teams which finish level on points are divided according to their head-to-head record. England have the edge on goal difference after their 3-0 win at home in London was followed by a 2-1 defeat away in Moscow.
We have the players to beat Coratia on Wednesday but performing on the night will be a totally different story, yes we are at home but will the support get behind the players or if things start badly will the crowd turn against the team and the manager.
Whatever happens this is one of England biggest games for a long time and it should be very entertaining yet nervy.
If England do lose, they are all but certain to crash out. Russia's final match is against group minnows Andorra - currently on a run of 29 successive Euro qualifying defeats - and a Russian victory will put them on 24 points, one ahead of a defeated England.
An England draw coupled with a Russia win means both teams finish on 24 points. England will qualify because teams which finish level on points are divided according to their head-to-head record. England have the edge on goal difference after their 3-0 win at home in London was followed by a 2-1 defeat away in Moscow.