'Let's stick together'
Wednesday, 21 November, 2007
Steven Gerrard is urging players and fans to stick together at Wembley on Wednesday evening.
England v Croatia
UEFA European Championship Qualifier
8pm, Wednesday 21 November 2007
Wembley Stadium
Live on BBC
Steven Gerrard has urged England’s players and fans to stick together at Wembley tonight and send the Three Lions roaring into the Euro 2008 finals.
Gerrard, who will captain his country beneath the giant arch, is adamant his team can get the point they need against Croatia to qualify for Austria and Switzerland next summer.
His confidence is based on his knowledge of the men who will play alongside him and also memories of the fantastic atmosphere created by England fans in the past.
He said: “I think the Wembley crowd can help us. There’s been so many times at Anfield when Liverpool have been in difficult situations and the crowd has bailed us out.
“They are famously known as the 12th man and as a player it certainly gives you a boost when the crowd are with you.
“We will certainly need our fans to play a big part on Wednesday, there's no better feeling than when you're on the pitch and the England fans are behind you.
"The players are ready for it. We’ve been through a lot and hopefully that experience can make us stronger and make us improve.
“There are going to be times against Croatia when it’s not going to be perfect, but that is when you have got to stick together.
“That’s when the big players have got to stand up and make sure if mistakes do happen or if we do go a goal down that the game’s not over until the end and we keep fighting to get the right result.”
Gerrard is confident England will deal with the occasion, but all the same has outlined to his team-mates exactly what is required at Wembley.
He said: “We can’t afford to freeze. We need a big performance. We need players that deliver individually and play as a team.
“There’s been enough said over the last few weeks, I’m sick of doing interviews to be honest, and now we need to do our talking on the pitch.”
Even so, Gerrard isn’t expecting an easy ride against a Croatia side who have already qualified for the finals and who come to Wembley in relaxed mood having already beaten England 2-0 in Zagreb.
He said: “I never played against Croatia but I watched it and they certainly have quality throughout the team. The table doesn’t lie – and they are top.
“We have a lot of respect for them. People assume that because of the results on Saturday that England are going to just turn up on Wednesday and qualify. But we’ve still got to work hard and put in a big performance and ensure we get three points.
“People say Croatia won’t be motivated but if was them I’d be coming to Wembley, one of the best stadiums in the world with a chance to beat England. That motivates every player.
“It’s very important for us not to think the job is already done. After Saturday everyone was saying that’s it now, we’re there. But there’s still an important and difficult job to do and that’s what we have to realise. We want to make sure we’re in Euro 2008.”