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| McClaren shoulders blame for loss | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Steve McClaren blamed England's 2-0 defeat to Croatia on his tactical plan to try and stifle Slaven Bilic's side. | |
| "We lost the game so obviously the tactics didn't work," said England coach McClaren as he reflected on his decision to deploy a 3-5-2 formation. | |
| "We'll look at it more thoroughly and I always believe we do need to changesystems and we do need another one. | |
| "It was my decision to change and we lost the game so it's my responsibility," added McClaren. | |
| It was a freak goal,/CPS:QUOTE>Paul Robinson | |
| The England boss admitted he is bracing himself for a media mauling after the embarrassing Euro 2008 Group E qualifying defeat, his first since he succeeded Sven-Goran Eriksson. | |
| "I knew that was part of the job when I took over," McClaren told BBC Radio Five Live. I've seen it for the last five years. | |
| "I have to accept that criticism, because it is my responsibility. I pick the players and I pick the system. | "I have to accept that criticism, because it is my responsibility. I pick the players and I pick the system. |
| "If we win I accept the plaudits, but if we lose I accept the criticism. I'm not going to shy away from it." | "If we win I accept the plaudits, but if we lose I accept the criticism. I'm not going to shy away from it." |
| McClaren added: "But it just makes me more determined and the players to turn it around." | McClaren added: "But it just makes me more determined and the players to turn it around." |
| England have picked up just one point in their last two Group E games, but McClaren remained bullish over his side's chances of reaching the Euro 2008 finals. | England have picked up just one point in their last two Group E games, but McClaren remained bullish over his side's chances of reaching the Euro 2008 finals. |
| "There are enough points to play for so we'll be okay. | "There are enough points to play for so we'll be okay. |
| "It's going to be difficult. Everyone has opinions, but I've said to theplayers we've got to stick together. | "It's going to be difficult. Everyone has opinions, but I've said to theplayers we've got to stick together. |
| "Their attitude has been magnificent and we'll turn it around." | "Their attitude has been magnificent and we'll turn it around." |
| Croatia's second goal as summed up England's lacklustre performance. | |
| Gary Neville's back-pass struck a divot as goalkeeper Paul Robinson went to clear, with the ball rolling over the line. | |
| "It was a freak goal," said Robinson. "It happened where the Croatiangoalkeeper was taking his kicks and it left divots in the pitch. | |
| "He had been taking goal-kicks in the first half and there were huge holes inthe pitch. | |
| "I went to kick Gary's pass, there was a bobble and then the ball wasn'tthere. It was an absolute freak and there was nothing I could do about it." |