The Pain
Of 1986
| Tuesday 30 June 1998 |
Front Page 
|
|
AS WORRIED ABOUT US' SAYS ENGLAND COACH
GLENN HODDLE will send England into World Cup action against Argentina tonight with the same �Attack, Attack, Attack' message they carried into the clash with Colombia. And he will stir up his players still further by telling them: They'll be just as concerned about us as we are about them."
|
 |
|
under a fortnight's time.
But Hoddle feels that England have enough firepower of their own, via the likes of Alan Shearer, David Beckham and Michael Owen, to upset the odds, even though he knows that this is the greatest test he, and everyone of his players, have faced on the international stage. "It's a massive challenge for the boys, we are not foolish enough to believe otherwise," he said. "But it is also a wonderful opportunity. In football terms it means everything to the country. We've not been to the World Cup for some time and to get into the last eight would be a magnificent achievement for us. "A lot of people will fancy Argentina more than us to win the tournament in world football terms they are regarded as one of the favourites but, in our camp, we certainly don't feel as if we are the underdogs and there is no tension among the lads. Of course, Argentina are a dangerous side and they have got some extremely good players, but so have we. That's what makes this match such a hard one to call. For every player I get asked about, I am sure that Passarella will be asked the same as regards our squad. "I am talking about the likes of Shearer, Beckham and Owen, plus the experience of Adams and Seaman at the back," the England boss added. "We believe we know where we can get at them and where we feel they are vulnerable - that's what we have been working at. We will be going out there and will be trying to move heaven and earth to get the result everyone wants." Hoddle seems certain to rely on the side which overcame Colombia 2-1 on Friday to clinch a place in the second round, although the more conservative half of his passionate soul will have been wondering if a more cautious approach would be a sensible one. The nation would never forgive him if he got that one wrong. Former England boss Bobby Robson believes England must stick with Beckham and Owen, although the Manchester United star together with Rob Lee did miss training last night with "muscle fatigue". But both will be fit and available for selection and Hoddle says of the squad as a whole: "You can be assured that we've prepared right. It's a huge game for the nation and the players. We'll have to give 110% for the country and ourselves. There is no tension, we're relaxed and focused. It's nothing to do with destiny. It's to do with winning a match against Argentina, but that's something we're up for. We know what has to be done. We know what is expected of us. PROBABLE TEAMS England: Seaman, Southgate, Adams, Campbell, Anderton, Beckham, Ince, Scholes , Le Saux, Owen, Shearer. Argentina: Roa, Vivas, Ayala, Chamot, Zanetti, Almeyda, Simeone, Veron, Ortega, Batistuta, Lopez.
For all the World Cup results and news, fun and breaking news, visit our website at www.football365.co.uk
|
|
top
|
The name and overall content are © 1998 Direct Network Publishing plc, and all rights are reserved.
Some of the news content is © 1998 Press Association Ltd, and all rights are reserved.
Pictures are © 1998 Allsport Photographic plc, and all rights are reserved.
Please see Help page for conditions of use.