BACK TO ARCHIVE INDEX © All written site content is copyright ComeOnBoro.com 2004-2007, unless otherwise stated, and is not to be used without prior permission.	CROATIA v ENGLAND - McCLAREN FORCED TO RING THE CHANGES Steve McClaren admits his midfield crisis forced him into changing England's formation. Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole, Owen Hargreaves and Aaron Lennon are all missing from Wednesday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia. McClaren lined his players up in a 3-5-2 system in training in Zagreb's Maksimir Stadium and looks set to stick with that shape for the clash. The manager is short of experience in midfield and has responded by pushing Ashley Cole and Gary Neville forward into wing-back positions. Frank Lampard, who will win his 50th cap, is expected to start in a central trio with Michael Carrick and Scott Parker. McClaren said: "We've got to change. We've got to look at different systems and we've got to look at the make-up of the team. "When you include Lennon, who is an impact player, we're missing four of our midfield players. "We have to deal with that and cope with it and we're looking at different ways of doing it. "You have to be flexible. We did the work and I'm pleased with the reaction of the players." McClaren and his coaching team worked on the 3-5-2 system in training last week but reverted to their usual 4-4-2 against Macedonia on Saturday. England drew 0-0 with Macedonia. It was their sixth successive clean sheet but the manager has still decided to make a drastic change to his defence in Zagreb. McClaren said: "You can't gamble, you have to know and I'm quite confident. "If we have to go to three at the back, those players we'll be putting in there have played it before. "There are all kinds of systems in the Premier League and I've been involved. We used to change systems out of necessity, because of injuries, because of opponents. "To go to the next level we have to look at these situations. To go through the barrier we might have to try one or two things. You get very little time with England." Despite his shortage of midfield experience, McClaren claims he was never tempted to recall David Beckham to the squad for the Croatia game. Beckham, 31, was dropped by McClaren, two months ago. He has 94 caps and looks unlikely to win another under the current manager. McClaren said: "I'll never close the door but, in this situation, no. I believe we've got experience within the squad. That's why I've picked them." Ledley King has withdrawn from the squad because he is still troubled by a niggling knee problem. King would probably have played in the back three with skipper John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, who expects to be fit after a back injury. Jamie Carragher is poised to play instead. McClaren wants to see his players stand up and fight to match Croatia's patriotism. The head coach said: "We need character. We need pride. We need passion and attitude and we need a team of men out there. We're looking for an English performance. "Croatia are a very proud and patriotic nation but so are we. Absolutely. "John Terry epitomises that for us and that's what we'll be looking for but everybody has to seize responsibility. "It's an away game. We can't carry anybody. We have to make sure everybody performs and we're looking at the leaders, the men, the experienced people out there, who can handle these situations and come out on top. "Everybody knows what a difficult game this is. It's not going to be easy. "We have our backs to the wall after our performance on Saturday but we need a reaction and that's what I'm looking for." A win for Croatia would see them leap to the top of the group, leaving England with just one point to show from their last two Euro 2008 qualifiers. McClaren will be forced to sweat until March before he has a chance to get the campaign back on track with an away fixture against Israel. A win in Zagreb, where the Croatians have never lost a competitive game, and the England boss will enjoy the next few months, sat on top of Group E. McClaren said: "I know I'm the man for the job. That's why I was picked. "It's going to prove nothing if we win. We just move on from that." By Bettingzone.co.uk Used with permission. SEND THIS TO A FRIEND CROATIA v ENGLAND MATCH PROGRAMME INDEX
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