McClaren Backs Downing
Steve McClaren has backed Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing to prove his critics wrong in Wednesday’s Euro 2008 qualifier in Macedonia.
The new England coach said the 22-year-old deserved more credit for his display in the 5-0 win over Andorra on Saturday.
“He crossed nine balls during the game, which was double anyone else on the park,” said McClaren.
“It’s all about production. Yes, we can play football but at the end of the day it’s about production.”
McClaren, who was Downing’s club manager at Boro, said it was important not to undervalue the winger’s contribution to the England team effort.
“Stewart is there to provide the width, to give space to other people, to give space to Ashley Cole to overlap and exploit, if he has doubled up, and Ashley provided two of the goals,” added McClaren.
“Stewart’s balls were quality balls into the box so he is doing his job for the team and that’s the most important thing - the team.”
McClaren said the width provided by Downing on the left and Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard on the right was essential to the balance of his team.
Gerrard is in line to win his 50th England cap against Macedonia and McClaren said he expected the 26-year-old midfielder to make an even bigger impact for his country during the second half of his career.
“Steven can get better. It is a tremendous achievement, 50 caps at his age, and he has got great experience and is using that experience really well with England and Liverpool,” he said.
“I think he can improve and get better but he is one of those inspirational players whose performance inspires everyone else and he is one of those who at any moment can win a game for you. People like that in your team are invaluable.”
McClaren has warned his side they must combat a hostile atmosphere and dangerous opponents when they face Macedonia in Skopje.
England’s last visit three years ago resulted in Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side winning 2-1 in a match marred by racist taunts towards England’s players and the burning of the flag of St George on the terraces.
“In qualifying for tournaments, you have to play away and deal with everything that is thrown at you,” he said.
“We are going to get quite a few things thrown at us and we have to handle that and make sure we come out and win the game.”
