Steve McClaren was hardly bullish - but he was at least able to relish the breathing space offered by England's Euro 2008 qualifier win against Israel at Wembley. England's heavily-criticised coach felt buoyed enough to send a warning in Russia's direction ahead of Wednesday's crucial meeting with Guus Hiddink's side. The street-smart Dutch veteran will undoubtedly fire some well-aimed psychological barbs of his own in England's direction, and at a coach he knows is still vulnerable despite a morale-boosting win. But McClaren was sufficiently pleased by what he saw at Wembley against an admittedly dismal Israel to demonstrate confidence of his own. He said: "We made Israel look ordinary. I'm sure Russia will watch our video and not relish coming to Wembley on that performance. "We made it a comfortable win against a difficult side. Russia will be as tough and we need the same performance. We've set a standard and have to do it again on Wednesday." McClaren refused to be drawn on his team selection for Wednesday, explaining he had videos to watch and players' fitness to assess, but almost all of this England side deserve to carry their Euro 2008 hopes forward against Russia. Paul Robinson will continue in goal - how could he not after a game in which he did not have a serious save to make? McClaren's defence will stay in place, and in Micah Richards' case he will surely stay in place for a very long time.
This young powerhouse may well have ended Gary Neville's international career with his stunning emergence. It is a judgement that is not made on the evidence of his display against Israel, but his brilliance in the Premier League and his sheer presence for one so young. Richards has power to burn, dismissing some of Israel's attackers with a physical ease that bordered on embarrassing, and the leap for his goal was prodigious. Frank Lampard is unlikely to be fit to face Russia, so the only change may be the return of Owen Hargreaves for Gareth Barry. But Aston Villa's Barry demonstrated again at Wembley that some of his recent exclusions have been inexplicable. Peter Crouch is back after suspension and Everton's Andrew Johnson impressed as a substitute, but McClaren will surely keep faith with Emile Heskey and Michael Owen up front. Owen is the key to England's plans and loves playing alongside Heskey, so stick with Wigan's in-form striker. It makes sense. The only imponderable is whether Heskey will be the rampaging striker or the timid under-achiever. McClaren must pray it is the former.
As McClaren said: "Emile is a real handful. He makes defenders defend. No one likes playing against him. His attitude and work-rate was the main thing. He and Michael Owen combined well and always have done. "Emile has found a good home in Wigan. They treat him well. Players get opportunities and they have got to take it. Gareth Barry, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Heskey have done." But there are too many days when defenders do like playing against Heskey and the whole of England's backroom staff must stay on his case to ensure he does not drift back into his bad, listless habits. England looked lively down the flanks in the shape of Joe Cole and Wright-Phillips, who have made contrasting starts to the season with Chelsea. Cole has not been fully utilised, even leading to questions about his long-term future at Stamford Bridge. But, with McClaren's support, he played a crucial part in providing England's platform against Israel, setting up the opener for his team-mate. Wright-Phillips simply continued where he left off for Chelsea, looking lively and, more importantly, looking like the player for whom Jose Mourinho paid Manchester City �21m. It was a day of plus points for McClaren and England, but all the praise must be tempered with a note of caution. Russia will be in a different class to Israel, more dangerous, more resilient and led by one of the great modern coaches in Hiddink. But McClaren is hoping a viewing of England's victory may just test even the iron resolve and confidence of the Dutchman.
Source: BBC Sport
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