Croatia v England Match Programme || Terry Prepares Rallying Call

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CROATIA v ENGLAND - TERRY PREPARES RALLYING CALL

Captain John Terry will deliver a rallying cry to England in the dressing room before they attempt to make history in Wednesday's European Championship qualifier with Croatia.

The Chelsea defender will call for the 11 players in action in the hostile atmosphere of the Maksimir Stadium to stand up and be counted, after the disappointing draw with Macedonia at the weekend.

Steve McClaren's side will be bidding to end Croatia's 16-year unbeaten record in home competitive matches, since they gained their independence in 1990.

Another clean sheet by Paul Robinson will equal the great Gordon Banks' record of seven in a row for his country up to and including the 1966 World Cup.

Terry confirmed: "I am going to give a speech tomorrow before the game. What is in it is between me and the players. I'll maybe tell you after the game. But it will be similar to something like 'stand up and counted'.

"I want to give it. We did it for the first couple of games under the boss [McClaren], but it has stopped for the last couple of matches.

"As and when the players want to do it I'll do it. Tomorrow, I'm going to do it. I'll be doing it in the dressing room before the game."

Terry is confident England will rise to the challenge.

"We feel this sort of game will bring the best out of us," he said.

"We've watched a couple of videos of Croatia. they are the sort of team who like to get at you rather than sit back - which is what we've experienced the last few games.

"With them coming forward, that's going to open up doors and alleys for us to break them down.

"This will be a very similar game to the one in Turkey three years ago when we achieved a draw and qualified for Euro 2004.

"I will be pumped up, and so will the other lads. It is a difficult place to come, but we are ready for the game."

Robinson has not conceded a goal in open play since England drew 2-2 with Sweden in their final World Cup group encounter in Germany this summer.

Terry is quick to praise the contribution the Tottenham player has made.

He said: "Certainly the lads feel very comfortable with Robbo behind us. The communication he gives the lads through the 90 minutes is phenomenal. He doesn't shut up - which is a great thing for us.

"He comes for crosses; he has got great kicking ability and is very confident. Robbo has made some great saves over the last six games to keep that clean sheet record going.

"But there is a whole belief through the team at the moment that we are not going to concede goals. We had a run like that at Chelsea, and you honestly believe no one is going to score."

By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.

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