McClaren boosted by performance
McClaren was pleased with the way his side bounced back from defeat in their last game
Also In The News
|
Manchester City defender Micah Richards is the surprise inclusion in Steve McClaren's England team to face the Netherlands in an international friendly tomorrow. |  |
Wednesday, 15, Nov 2006 10:14
England boss Steve McClaren said that he felt that England's performance during their 1-1 draw with Holland was their best since he took over and was disappointed not to win the game.
Wayne Rooney's first international goal in more than a year looked to be heading the Three Lions towards a morale-boosting win, but Rafael van der Vaart's late strike denied the away team.
But McClaren said after the match: "We are so disappointed not to win because we had enough chances and we were the best team on the night.
"We asked for a performance of character and attitude and I thought we played good football and created chances. That was probably our best performance over 90 minutes in terms of consistency."
He was possibly most pleased with the displays of his two debutants, Micah Richards and Andrew Johnson. Richards did well to keep the dangerous Arjen Robben contained for most of the match while Johnson was lively despite playing out of position in England's 4-3-3 formation.
McClaren said: "Micah Richards has only been with us for two days, but it is like he has been a member of the squad forever. He gave a mature performance and he really is one for the future.
"Andy Johnson did a fantastic job for us, a job for the team, and that's what's important."
Of the performance itself McClaren felt that England coped well away from home with the threat posed by the Dutch and was pleased his side create chances of their own.
"Holland are very good attacking side with great movement and we coped with that well. We looked fluid in midfield, we had penetration up front and I'm very pleased with the performance, although we conceded from a set-play which is disappointing," he concluded.