England v Macedonia
UEFA European Championship
Qualifying Group E
5pm, Saturday 7 October 2006
Old Trafford, Manchester
Steve McClaren is hoping to give England fans the perfect send-off with another victory over Macedonia in their crucial European Championship qualifier on Saturday.
The Three Lions will be playing their last competitive game in England until they face Israel on 8 September 2007 and McClaren knows the importance of picking up all three points before his side embark on a busy schedule away from home.
England have enjoyed an impressive start under McClaren winning all three games and currently top Group E in their quest to qualify for the European Championship Finals in 2008.
McClaren has enjoyed seeing his side play at Old Trafford and hopes that the players can rise to the occasion once again in Manchester and maintain his unbeaten run since taking over the managerial reins.
McClaren said: "The game is very important to us. I believe these two games coming up are going to be very difficult and a big test for us.
"We know Macedonia and what they are capable of doing away from home. We know what they did a few years ago when they got a credible draw.
"We have got to be wary of that, but we just need to go out and play our own game and hopefully come away with the three points.
"Wembley is going to be a fantastic stadium. We have played at Old Trafford many times and it is starting to feel like a home for us.
"It is a magnificent stadium and a great platform for international games for our players to play on."
McClaren still has fresh memories of England’s 1-0 win over Macedonia in Skopje when Peter Crouch netted the crucial match winner.
Although the England head coach was pleased with his side’s victory, he was disappointed the Three Lions could not build on their one goal advantage and hopes his players will put that right when the two teams meet again at Old Trafford.
McClaren added: "It was a very big win for us in Macedonia. Certain aspects of our performance were very good. Our back five was excellent and the team as a whole was excellent.
"But we need to play better football. We stressed that to the team this week. In times when we go 1-0 up we need to push and go for the second goal.
"We cannot just sit back because we allow pressure on ourselves and we need to be better in those situations. It is a learning process.
"It has been a criticism of us in the past and rightly so. That was one aspect we have discussed with everyone."
With Owen Hargreaves ruled out with a broken leg, McClaren could turn to Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick to solve his midfield problems.
Carrick has enjoyed an impressive start to the Premiership campaign following his big money move to Old Trafford during the summer and McClaren has no doubts he has the ability to compete on the international stage.
He said: "Michael Carrick has got great strengths in the middle of the midfield and that is why Manchester United paid £18million to sign him.
"Michael is a player who has great composure on the ball and can keep possession. He can give you that link from the back to the front players.
"He can also do that holding role in midfield and that is the position he played with great strength at Tottenham.
"If Michael plays, that will be the kind of job we will be looking for him to do." .