England v Spain
International Friendly
8pm, Wednesday 7 February 2007
Old Trafford, Manchester
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Steven Gerrard believes there is an extra spring in the step of The Three Lions this week as they prepare to face Spain with yet more new faces on board.Long gone are the days when the England squad virtually picked itself for high-profile games - because under Steve McClaren things are certainly different.
He hasn’t been afraid to bring in young talent like Aaron Lennon or Micah Richards. And this week’s squad for the big match at Old Trafford on Wednesday includes England new boy Joey Barton, who met up with his teammates in Manchester today.
Gareth Barry, Jonathan Woodgate and Kieron Dyer were also there, for the first time in the McClaren era, and it’s a situation that has got Gerrard buzzing.
The Liverpool man, who is expected to captain his country on Wednesday with John Terry not yet 100 per cent match fit, met reporters at the launch of the new Umbro England kit and looked in confident mood.
"New additions to the squad help, it freshens things up and keeps players on their toes," said the midfielder. "When you know you’ve got competition behind you for places it can help you raise your game.
"If you look at our performances in the last couple of tournaments a shake-up is what is needed. Steve McClaren said that himself.
"He wants to shake his team up and get us playing a lot better. That’s what we need to do, we need to start playing better as a team and this is a good game for us to show that."
The inclusion of Manchester City star Barton has created most interest and provided plenty of points for discussion in a press conference in Manchester' Royal Exchange Theatre.
But Gerrard dealt with it all in his usual calm way - as you would expect of the Liverpool man.
Gerrard said: "He’s a great player, he deserves his call-up. And hopefully he can strengthen the squad.
"I enjoy watching him because he’s my type of player, he’s committed and works really hard.
"I think he’s the type of player when you are going into a battle you want him on your side.
"I know him really well because his council estate and my estate are really close together, so I often bump into him in and around Huyton. He’s a nice lad and I’m really looking forward to seeing him. I’ll congratulate him on his call up because it’s thoroughly deserved."
Barton’s arrival in the England squad has come at an important time for the Three Lions, just a month before the crucial Euro 2008 qualifying trip to Israel and Andorra. And Gerrard wants his team to be at their best.
"We have to show the fans, the manager and everyone in the country that we really want to top this group. We have a really good challenge ahead because some of the results in the past haven’t been what we would like. But the Spain game is good preparation for next month. If we can get a good win and a performance on Wednesday it will be good for confidence going into those qualifiers."
The overall aim for England, of course, is to rebuild confidence after the World Cup, qualify for Euro 2008 and put together a team capable of ending a long, long wait for trophies.
It’s a tough task but one that Gerrard believes is already building momentum.
He said: "We know we have a big job on our hands. It’s always the case with England because there is a lot of expectation.
"What I would say is give the new coaching staff and manager a chance. We have only played five or six games together under the new coach so for them to get the team playing better and get us playing as a unit it will take a little longer. If you have patience I’m sure he’ll get it right.
"If you look at our performances there is a lot of work to do, we know that. We need to play more as a team. And we need to work harder - with the ball and without it.
"But it’s nice to have a couple of days together now because it’s a long time since we’ve been together and we have some big games coming up. I think the next couple of days and Wednesday’s performance is very important to us going forward."