'Let's keep it going'
Wednesday, 11 February, 2009
Michael Carrick says England must continue their momentum when they face Spain.
Spain v England
International Friendly
9pm (GMT), Wednesday 11 February 2009
Ramon Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, Sevilla FC
Live on ITV
Michael Carrick believes that England face a tough test against European Champions Spain, but says that having won in Germany it will be another important measure of how far the Three Lions have come under Fabio Capello.
Carrick played his first game for England in over a year as they won 2-1 in Berlin, but the Manchester United midfielder is now focused on facing Vicente Del Bosque's side in Seville.
Speaking exclusively to TheFA.com, Carrick said: "The run they've been on over the last 18 months has to be taken into account. They're a very good team and they have some top players, but we're going over there full of confidence and looking forward to the game.
"It's a big challenge for us, but we want to play against the best team and show how good we can be. It's a test of where we are at at the moment. We won't be judged only on this game, but if we can keep the winning run going it will be a great confidence boost going into the qualifiers.
"We know the talent and ability that they possess and they are technically gifted and organised. So it's going to be a good footballing game. Obviously we'll have to be aware of their threats but we've got threats of our own."
Looking back on the victory in Germany, England's fifth win in a row, Carrick believes that having won four qualifiers on the trot it was important to keep the momentum going.
Reflecting on Berlin, Carrick admitted: "It is a tough place to go at the best of times, but obviously it wasn't the first choice squad. The team that went out there played really well, and it was great to get a win. Especially after the results in the qualifiers it was important to keep the momentum going.
"It was a good scalp going to Germany and winning in the Olympic Stadium in Berlin, so it was very satisfying."
The game against Germany was also Carrick's first experience of Fabio Capello and the United midfielder was impressed by the Italian.
"He's his own person and he's different to other managers obviously," Carrick explained. "We were only really together a couple of days leading up to the game with Germany, but being around the camp things are done a little bit differently, not greatly.
"But he just has that respect of all the players for what he's achieved in the past and what we believe we can achieve in the future."
Carrick played twice against Barcelona last spring as Manchester United overcame the Catalan giants to reach the Champions League Final, but he doesn't believe a great deal can be gleaned from those encounters with a Spanish midfield.
Carrick said: "Them types of games, speaking about the Champions League, are very tight games and they are won and lost on little things. There wasn't a lot of chances in the game. Obviously we came out on top but they played very well on both occasions."
Looking at his recent club form, Carrick is pleased: "Yes I'm quite happy, we're winning games. We're back on top of the League and I'm playing regularly and enjoying my football, so everything's going pretty well at the moment. But you can't take things for granted in football or it'll come back and slap you in the face.
"So you keep your feet on the ground and just try to repeat the things you've been doing, get better and try and improve. It's been a decent season so far, but we'll only judge it come the end of May."