Embarassed England fall into Croatia's hand
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A horror own goal from Gary Neville left Paul Robinson embarrassed and England on their way to a 2-0 defeat in Croatia last night.
Eduardo's header had given Croatia a deserved 61st minute lead before keeper Robinson was involved in a nightmare moment eight minutes later.
Gary Neville's back-pass struck a divot as Robinson went to clear, and he watched in agony as the ball rolled in.
Robinson had previously produced a string of saves to keep Croatia at bay.
England coach Steve McClaren's tactical re-shuffle to a 3-5-2 formation was brutally exposed as his side barely mounted an attack worthy of the name.
And on the back of a poor performance in the goalless draw against Macedonia at Old Trafford, it left McClaren's supposedly brave new era looking distinctly underwhelming.
"We lost the game so obviously the tactics didn't work," said McClaren. "We'll look at it more thoroughly and I always believe we do need to change systems and we do need another one.
"It was my decision to change and we lost the game so it's my responsibility," added McClaren.
"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.
"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 and the players more determined to turn it around."
Croatia coach Slaven Bilic believed England's tactics helped rather than hindered his side.
"I hoped they'd play 3-5-2 as it would give us more room to attack on the wings," said Bilic.
"I knew if we could switch the play quickly we'd be two-on-one.
"I expected England to come out and pressurise us but it was more a question of whether we'd get a third."
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.
"It's going to be difficult. Everyone has opinions, but I've said to the players we've got to stick together.
"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 Croatian goalkeeper 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 in the pitch.
"I went to kick Gary's pass, there was a bobble and then the ball wasn't there. It was an absolute freak and there was nothing I could do about it."
Eduardo's header had given Croatia a deserved 61st minute lead before keeper Robinson was involved in a nightmare moment eight minutes later.
Gary Neville's back-pass struck a divot as Robinson went to clear, and he watched in agony as the ball rolled in.
Robinson had previously produced a string of saves to keep Croatia at bay.
England coach Steve McClaren's tactical re-shuffle to a 3-5-2 formation was brutally exposed as his side barely mounted an attack worthy of the name.
And on the back of a poor performance in the goalless draw against Macedonia at Old Trafford, it left McClaren's supposedly brave new era looking distinctly underwhelming.
"We lost the game so obviously the tactics didn't work," said McClaren. "We'll look at it more thoroughly and I always believe we do need to change systems and we do need another one.
"It was my decision to change and we lost the game so it's my responsibility," added McClaren.
"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.
"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 and the players more determined to turn it around."
Croatia coach Slaven Bilic believed England's tactics helped rather than hindered his side.
"I hoped they'd play 3-5-2 as it would give us more room to attack on the wings," said Bilic.
"I knew if we could switch the play quickly we'd be two-on-one.
"I expected England to come out and pressurise us but it was more a question of whether we'd get a third."
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.
"It's going to be difficult. Everyone has opinions, but I've said to the players we've got to stick together.
"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 Croatian goalkeeper 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 in the pitch.
"I went to kick Gary's pass, there was a bobble and then the ball wasn't there. It was an absolute freak and there was nothing I could do about it."
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