Nothing At Stake Except Reputations As Holland Host Under-Fire England
There's nothing at stake on Wednesday night when England face Holland in an International friendly at the Amsterdam Arena – nothing except Steve McClaren's battered reputation. The ex-Boro boss has only be in charge of the English national side for five games, but he's already looking like a lame duck. Pinnacle Sports rate the Three Lions underdogs 1.917 (0/scratch & +0.5) for their trip to the Netherlands, who are 2.01 (0/scratch & -0.5).
Games such as this are normally relatively relaxed affairs, providing an opportunity to try new ideas or blood new players, but under current circumstances McClaren's every move will be scrutinised, and as a result his team should be expected to treat this game as anything but a friendly.
Things started promisingly under his tenure as the Three Lions could do no more than beat three weak opponents, and get six Euro 2008 points on the board. McClaren had the media on side with his polished smile and well drilled press conference performances, and seemed to have pulled a master-stroke by dropping ex-Captain David Beckham, replacing him with player's favourite, John Terry. Football however, is a fickle business, and things quickly turned sour as England drew 0-0 at home to Macedonia's minnows, then followed up with a dismal 2-0 defeat in Croatia. The main focus of criticism was McClaren's inexplicable switch to an untried 3-5-2 formation for the critical Group E tie.
That tactical clanger was seized on as proof of McClaren's ineptitude, and vindication for those commentators who felt he was a poor-man's choice for the England job. The main criticisms that have surfaced are his lack of international experience, and equal culpability (as Sven Goran-Eriksson's assistant) for England's World Cup failure. A campaign to bring back Beckham has gathered steam, and to make matters worse, the man in the middle now has to wait until March to get Euro 2008 qualification back on track.
With such a negative vibe, there could few tougher assignments than a trip to Holland. The last time England beat the Oranje was in Euro 1996, they have met three times since, drawing on the last two occasions after losing at White Hart Lane in 2001. Those three recent games each generated less than 2.5 goals, and Pinnacle Sports have the under 2 & 2.5 goals at 1.813. Though there is nothing competitively to play for, with both sides under a cloud, neither is likely to take many risks, so a dour affair would not surprise.
McClaren's opposite number, Marco Van Basten, has been under a certain amount of pressure himself. Holland were disappointing in the World Cup, and though they are on course for Euro 2008 qualification, the Dutch seem to lack the creativity and inspiration of a Cruyff or a Gullit, that their exacting fans demand. Van Basten has made a concerted effort to build a team ethic that has often been missing from the Dutch national side, famed for its in-fighting. As a result, there is no place for big names such as Ruud Van Nistelrooy, or Mark Bommel but the familiar 4-3-3 formation will stay. There are seven representatives from the Premiership and SPL, and it is likely that the well-known faces of Chelsea's Arjen Robben and Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt will carry the greatest threat to England defence. Arsenal's Robin Van Persie pulled out on Monday as his wife is expecting their first child.
England will definitely be without the two Owens – Michael and Hargreaves – recovering from long term injuries, but Joe Cole, Andy Johnson, and Aaron Lennon – not available for the Croatia game – are fit. Given the debacle in Zagreb, surprise formations are not expected, but McClaren will be testing out new options position for the full-back positions. Ashley Cole is suspended for the next qualifier in Israel and Gary Neville pulled out after the weekend's Premiership action, along with five players named in a 28 man squad named by McClaren on Friday. This could mean a start for Man City's 18 year old full back Micah Richards, who along with Spurs' centre back, Michael Dawson is the only uncapped addition to the squad.
Wayne Rooney has been inspired form for Man Utd, currently top of the Premiership, and he will be eager to transfer success from club to country. Rooney hasn't scored in seven appearances for the three Lions, and alongside his beleaguered coach, certainly has a point to prove on the world stage.
There are a host of other non-competitive Internationals and Euro 2008 qualifiers being played on Wednesday, and Pinnacle Sports has all the action covered. Of particular interest to England fans are the two Group E games which will produce a new leader of the section. Israel - England's next opponents – welcome Croatia, who humbled McClaren's side in October, Pinnacle Sports cannot separate the sides with Israel 2.33 (0/scratch) and the Croats 1.699 (0/scratch). Earlier in the day Macedonia – who earned a shock draw at Old Trafford – host Russia - unbeaten in qualification and enjoying a resurgence under the vastly experienced Guus Hiddink. The Russians are favourites 2.29 (-0.5 & -1), while the Baltic State are 1.719 (+0.5 & +1) with the split ball Asian Handicap advantage.
