McClaren to reflect on red-faced Robinson

England's goalkeeper Paul Robinson stands in the rain during their international friendly match against Germany in London on Wednesday. Reuters

The Tottenham keeper was at fault for Germany's equalizer at Wembley on Wednesday as England lost 2-1 to its old rivals.

It is not the first time Robinson has blundered on international duty, costing his side a goal.

But McClaren said he would not be rushed into any hasty decisions on whether to axe Robinson after three years as England's first-choice goalkeeper.

"I can't say anything at the moment who'll be in the team because in three weeks we might have more injuries than what we've got at the present moment," a tight-lipped McClaren said after the defeat.

"Let's get two weeks out the way, let's name a squad and see where we are.

"I haven't had a real good chance to study it and to look at it in detail," he said of Robinson's error.

"I'm disappointed to have conceded that goal. There may have been a mistake but there were two or three mistakes before that which we shouldn't have allowed, so I'm disappointed with the goals overall.

"With performances you have to reflect on them and then make decisions later on," he said on Robinson's future.

Portsmouth keeper David James was brought back in from the cold, making his first England appearance for two years in a pre-planned half-time substitution, three years on since Robinson dislodged him as first choice.

England, seeking to reach the 2008 European Championships, is fourth in qualifying Group E. It faces Israel on September 8 and Russia on September 12 in a crucial double-header at Wembley which England cannot afford to get wrong.

McClaren said it was not the time to state publicly "anything about the team in the future.

"I can't make any public comments at this moment about any of the keepers, or any of the outfield players, or what's going to happen in two or three weeks."

The former Middlesbrough boss predicted Michael Owen would be back to full fitness for the September matches.

The striker had played just 27 minutes for Newcastle this season before his hour-long run-out against Germany.

"For Michael Owen that was his first start and against Germany at Wembley is a tough match to come into. In two or three weeks with games under his belt he will be sharper," McClaren said.

"That was an ideal game for us. It was a tough game, it was a hard game physically. For some of our players it was their fourth game in 10 days."

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard put England ahead in the ninth minute but Robinson's weak clearance gifted Schalke striker Kevin Kuranyi an equalizer in the 26th minute.

Schalke left-back Christian Pander, making his Germany debut, scored the winner in the 40th minute, blasting a superb shot past Robinson from distance.

Lampard said the England squad had to avoid a doom-and-gloom outlook.

"We're disappointed to lose the game. But we've got two weeks and if we want to think negative and let our heads go down it's not going to help anyone," he said.

Meanwhile Germany boss Joachim Loew was thrilled after his side became the first to beat England at the new Wembley stadium. It also ended England's days at the old Wembley with a 1-0 win in 2000.

"There are very few places in the world where winning is such a nice experience," he said.

"For the first 20 minutes we showed too much respect to England, but the equaliser was a big help and we started to play with much more courage and in the end we dominated the game.

"We had little time to practise and train and playing at the new Wembley in front of 90,000 people we were a bit intimidated.

"After the equalizer I think all of my players suddenly realised: 'Hey, we can score goals here!'"

Loew praised Pander, saying the 23-year-old was convincing at international level.

He also said Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack should be fit for the European Championship qualifier against Wales in Cardiff on September 8.

"The World Cup should have shown that we can win against the giants of football and we can hold our own against Europe's strong teams. Winning here is nice but what is really important is the next game.

"Ballack will definitely be back for that. Winning here is a great experience but it is still a friendly."

AFP

(China Daily 08/24/2007 page23)