GPWizard F1 Forum
Everything Else => Off Topic => Topic started by: The Stig on June 05, 2007, 07:15:45 PM
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Estonia goalkeeper Mart Poom believes David Beckham's return to the England line-up has made Steve McClaren's side a more potent threat.
Beckham had been out of contention since the World Cup, but was recalled last week for Friday's 1-1 friendly draw against Brazil, and responded with a trademark free-kick to set up John Terry's goal.
"We all know about David's quality from set pieces and crosses, he showed that on Friday night," he said.
"He is obviously a big threat and a lot of games these days are decided by set pieces. We have to minimise the easy free-kicks we give away and stop the crosses.
"It gives them another option to decide the game, as we saw on Friday night. Beckham is England's most famous player, an icon, but you can't point out Beckham especially - there are many other big names there. We don't fear England, but we have respect for them."
Poom also had words of support for McClaren, whom he knows from the days when he was assistant coach at Derby County.
"He impressed me a lot," the goalkeeper said.
"He was a very driven young coach, who tried to make a name for himself. He was a very open-minded modern coach, who had a good relationship with the players.
"He was very good at planning and organising things and making training interesting.
"Criticism comes with the territory. Being England coach is probably the hardest job in the world. Sometimes the criticism goes over board."
McClaren has found his position under threat following disappointing performances in drawing 0-0 with Macedonia and Israel, and the 2-0 defeat to Croatia.
"Every nation tries to raise their game against England," Poom went on.
"All their players and history and tradition. To draw against England like Macedonia did is a great achievement.
"Maybe they (England) are tired or drained out. National teams don't have as much time to prepare as at club level."
Estonia generally has been gripped by the game, a rare event in a country where basketball and skiing are the most popular sports.
"This is a glamour tie, like an FA Cup tie. We are the underdogs, but hopefully we'll make ourselves proud.
"We have to make sure we defend well, keep our discipline and also have some luck as well. You can't go onto the pitch thinking you've lost already, because it starts at 0-0. The longer we keep it goalless, the better for us.
"England could get nervous and maybe make a couple of mistakes. It's a challenge we have to relish."
They will do so, though, not merely without the injured Andres Oper, but also the suspended Raio Piiroja.
The centre-back was commanding against Croatia on Saturday, but misses the England game through suspension.
It is a game we must win tomorrow night!...Come on England!