England manager Steve McClaren made some of the boldest decisions in his team selection to play the crucial last qualifying game against Croatia, in a game that England could not afford to lose.

Pre Match Press Conference

When questioned about the speculation about the team in the pre match press conference McClaren replied that the players did no know the team, but the had an idea. A statement that demonstrates the lack of preparation of the players for the biggest game since they got knocked out of the World Cup quarter finals. With seven experienced internationals injured, McClaren decided it would be beneficial to drop Paul Robinson and give a competitive debut to Scott Carson rather than reinstate David James, who has arguably been the best English keeper in recent months. He also left the biggest name in the squad on the bench, David Beckham the only name on the team sheet that the Croats would fear was left with the possibility of a short stint as a substitute.

Change of Formation

With the preparation not as is might have been, when McClaren named the team it demonstrated that he decided to try a new formation. Not what you would expect from an international manager, let alone manager of a footballing force like England. The poor preparation showed within the first fifteen minutes as the England players looked like they were strangers and they were two goals down.

The first goal could be attributed to the poor playing surface, which had not recovered after the FA allowed an American Football NFL game to be played three weeks previously, leaving the pitch resembling a muddy bog from the 1970’s. Something alien to the pampered stars of the premier league who play on pitches that are like lush carpets. However Scott Carson was more at fault than the surface as Niko Kranjcar’s shot bounced through his fingers, the gaff put him up there with both James and Robinson who have been subject to errors on occasion.

The second came as England struggled to come to terms with the mammoth task ahead the defence appeared to be unsure of their positioning calling for offside as Arsenal’s Eduardo played a through ball to Olic who was played onside by Wayne Bridge. Olic danced around a stranded Carson and stroked the ball in to the empty net.

All Change At Half Time

Having witnessed his sides capitulation in the first half McClaren decided there were changes needed if his side were to get back in to the game. He brought on Beckham and Defoe, for Wright-Phillips & Barry allowing England to revert back to their favoured 4-4-2 formation. Both players were instrumental in the resurgence of England as they and Peter Crouch seemed like the only players trying.

Lampard Penalty Gives England Lifeline

Defoe was brought down by a tug of his shirt by the only player at a world cup to be booked three times Josip Simunic, providing Lampard and England with a penalty to get a foot hold back in the game. Under pressure Lampard managed to send the ball home and give England a lifeline.

Defoe was involved in the second as his hustle forced the ball out to Richards who fed Beckham on the right. The former England captain played a first time cross in to Crouch who controlled the ball on his chest before thumping the ball home to put England level. McClaren must have been reminiscing of his previous escapes as Middlesbrough manager.

Slaven Billic’s super sub Petric came on and killed off the hopes of a nation. His shot from 20 yards flew past Carson with just 13 minutes left for England to get back in to the game. Third sub Darren Bent came closest to helping England qualify but his shot hit the top of the net.