McClaren: I wouldn’t change anything — except the result

UNDER pressure England coach Steve McClaren is adamant he would not change anything about Wednesday’s miserable night in Moscow — except the result.

McClaren and his team have been pitched into an unwanted game of Russian roulette as a result of their 2-1 defeat, with Israel holding the gun that could terminate their hopes of reaching Euro 2008.

The consequences of a stunning reverse at the Luzhniki Stadium are stark. If Russia defeat Israel in Tel Aviv on November 17, England are out, barring one of the biggest upsets in the history of the game four days later when Guus Hiddink’s team tackle the part-time and, in Group E, pointless Andorra, they will be out.

Quite apart from setting the Football Association’s bean counters into a frenzy over how to make up the lost revenue, it will effectively signal the end of McClaren’s time in charge after just 18 games.

Yet McClaren is perplexed as to how England came to this.

For 69 frenzied, raucous and successful minutes, everything had gone perfectly.

“I wouldn’t do anything differently,” he argued.

“I was happy with the preparation. The pitch was okay — that is not an excuse. Our performance was just as I thought. The attitude, spirit and commitment of the players was right. Tactically, I could not fault them.

“We got the goal and we defended very well. We looked comfortable. One decision turned the game.”

Yet there is still a glimmer of hope, a shaft of light brightening an otherwise darkened room; Israel’s impressive home record.

Until Croatia visited the Ramat Gan Stadium last season and emerged triumphant in a completely unexpected seven-goal thriller, Israel had not lost a home game in seven years. England could not beat them in March and as Russia failed to overcome them in Moscow, who is to say they will fare better on enemy territory?

“We are relying on Israel to do us a favour,” said McClaren.

“It is a tough place to get a result, so it is not going to be easy for Russia.

“Obviously, we are very disappointed. We have gone from being in control of the group to qualification being out of our hands.

“All we can do is reflect, keep our spirits high and stick together.

“We still have one game to go. Let’s see where we are after 12 games.”