Combination working
Monday, 15 October, 2007
Steve McClaren backs his strike partnership ahead of Wednesday's game with Russia.
Russia v England
UEFA European Championship Qualifier
4pm (BST), Wednesday 17 October 2007
Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
Live on Sky Sports
Steve McClaren has paid tribute to the Michael Owen-Wayne Rooney partnership and believes it could prove crucial for England in Moscow on Wednesday.
The duo were back in harness last weekend against Estonia, after a combination of injury and suspension had kept them apart for so long and the pairing was put under intense scrutiny after Owen had performed so well alongside Emile Heskey in the previous two games.
Heskey, of course, is currently injured and not available to continue that fruitful partnership away at Russia.
Rooney, who scored in a 3-0 victory at the weekend, proved an able replacement and there were signs that his understanding with Owen was growing.
An impressed McClaren revealed: “I thought it was good. You talk about statistics but it is not about individuals. It is about pairings and it is about the team.
“Michael might score more with Emile Heskey but Emile hasn't scored many goals. Michael got them all.
“The combination between Wayne and Michael will probably get just as many. That is the key thing. It is not about individuals scoring goals, it is about the team doing it. Sometimes strikers work in combinations. As long as they are both scoring, you are happy.
“You used to have a situation with Arsenal, where Thierry Henry scored 30 goals each season. If you could spread them around the team, you are not going to miss him. That’s football.”
Who knows, Heskey could yet return to play a vital part in England’s Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, but Rooney and Owen are the men in possession right now and things are certainly looking up.
After a frustrating start to the campaign, the Three Lions are now sitting in second place in Group E and challenging Croatia for top spot with two games to go.
“I said all along qualifying is a long campaign,” added McClaren. “You do not qualify in March. It is a long haul. I have always had great belief in these players and the quality we have got.
“There are still plenty of games to go and we have put ourselves in pole position but it really does not surprise me.
“It frustrated me at the time that we weren't doing better, but it delights me now that we are finally doing better. Our performances have shown that.
“Confidence is the key to everything. And the players should be confident. We should have no fears going to Russia.
"What a great opportunity! Win that game and we qualify. That is the approach we will be taking.”