'Stop whingeing'

Last updated: 18th November 2007  

'Stop whingeing'

Wilkins: Plea to fans

When Scotland and Italy walked out yesterday you couldn't hear yourself think. But we don't have that at Wembley and we need to start producing that.

Ray Wilkins
Quotes of the week

Ray Wilkins has hit out at England's "whingeing" supporters and called on them to evoke the spirit on Hampden on Wednesday.

Former England midfielder Wilkins was blown away by the 'Hampden Roar' when Scotland hosted Italy on Saturday night and insists it was in stark contrast to recent England matches when fans have repeatedly jeered their own players.

England need a draw against Croatia on Wednesday night to secure qualification to Euro 2008 and Wilkins wants the Wembley crowd to get behind the team from the first whistle.

Speaking on Goals On Sunday, he said: "Croatia are going to come to what is probably the best football stadium on the planet in Wembley and they will want to put on a show.

"But I'm sure our lads will be in the same frame of mind and will want to give them an absolute battering.

"Wembley can work against England because opposition players want to perform on that stage, but what we need is the Hampden roar on Wednesday. Will we get it?

"Lots of people keep questioning our young men about their passion and about their feeling for their country. Well, once an Englishman pulls on that England shirt, nobody has any more passion, I can assure you.

"But I do question the volume at Wembley. When Scotland and Italy walked out yesterday you couldn't hear yourself think. That atmosphere was just incredible, but we don't have that at Wembley and we need to start producing that to get behind the players.

"What we get is Frank Lampard getting booed when his name is mentioned. That has got to stop.

"When David Bentley came on as a substitute on Friday night, he was booed. Now I was the first to say David was wrong for not going with the Under-21s to the European Championships last summer, but it's finished.

Get behind him

"If he is going to represent England we should get behind him and pat him on the back. But we don't do that. Our supporters have got to stop whingeing and get behind the group of lads that pull on that shirt."

Wilkins admitted he was shocked by Israel's 2-1 win over Russia which has put England's fate back into their own hands.

He insists that England boss Steve McClaren deserved to be sacked if England failed to reach the Euro 2008 finals, but has now backed the under-pressure boss to lead the country to Austria and Switzerland next summer.

"One would have to say that Israel have kept Steve McClaren in a job," he added.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves because the game on Wednesday will be extremely difficult. We're playing a Croatian side that have already qualified, so it could go one of two ways.

"They could come with gay abandon and play wonderful football because they've got some talented guys, or they come and we'll steamroller them.

"It's still a tough ask and we've got to make sure we do our job right, but most certainly we owe Israel one.

"I always had a feeling that Russia would win that game as I thought they had too much going forward, even though I don't think they are that good defensively.

Thrilled

"But I am absolutely thrilled that Israel managed to turn them over.

"I've always said that if Steve failed to qualify - and England weren't in the hardest group - then perhaps that position should have been changed.

"But at the moment we haven't failed. If we go through on Wednesday he should keep the job and take us to Euro 2008.

"If we don't qualify then Steve has to go, but we will get there."

Looking ahead to the Wednesday's game, Wilkins said Peter Crouch should play up front on his own and backed David Beckham to start, even though he has not played many club games due to persistent injuries.

He concluded: "I would play Gareth Barry in the holding role, I would play Lampard and Steven Gerrard in the middle, I'd play Joe Cole wide left, David Beckham wide right and Crouch up front on his own.

"The major factor is that we have got to be so solid in the middle of the field because Croatia play little give-and-go's in the midfield.

"We can defend crosses all day long, but it remains to be seen if we can defend the give-and-go's in the middle of the field.

"When we play two in the middle we have a slight problem, so I would bolster that by playing Barry as a holding midfield player. He has the defensive qualities, having done it for Villa and he has done it comfortably for England. I would allow Lampard and Gerrard to go and join Crouch all day long.

"I would play David Beckham as well because you need your experienced heads. We're going to need him stick that ball on someone's head on Wednesday and produce that bit of quality.

"Even if he just plays for an hour, I would play him."

Comments (18)

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Scottie Mcscott (Aberdeen fan) says...

When are England fans going to realise that they are no longer one of the teams who people consider to be almost guaranteed to qualify for major tournaments? Smaller nations have caught up and the simple fact is that England don't deserve to qualify based on thier performances. If they do get thru by the skin of thier teeth then I can only hope England supporters lower thier expectations a bit and I don't start hearing people telling me that England are going to go on and win the tournament like always.

Posted 20:56 20th November 2007

Robin Ward (Brighton and Hove Albion fan) says...

That's largely because Scotland can be proud of there team. I thought they'd be in a battle for third place, playing in a group with 3 WC quarter-finalists, but with one game to go at home to the World Champions, they were still in with a shot, and the way they had been playing, they believed they could do it, and almost got a positive result. Contrast: A bunch of Champions League regulars, Gerrard, Lampard, Ferdinand, Terry, Rooney, J.Cole, Ashley Cole, Crouch etc, top of the pile Premiership players struggle to beat Andorra and Macedonia away, even draw to Macedonia at home! Drew with Israel away, lost to Russia due to "six minutes of madness", and manage to capitulate against the mighty Croatia. Now, due to Omer Golan and his Israeli compatriots, we have somehow scraped a last chance. Not only have the results not been coming, the performances have been poor. A solid first half against Estonia saw us take a 3-0 lead, then we didn't bother playing for the second half! I still can't believe I sat there and watched it! I'm going to support my country, but I'm not going to go absolutely crazy over the prospect of a 0-0 draw with Croatia at Wembley. I'm more happy about the fact that this disasterous qualifying campaign has come to an end, and I can look forward to the relative excitement of balls being drawn from drums!

Posted 19:50 20th November 2007

Gavin Moore (Southampton fan) says...

It annoys me, because if I could afford to be at Wembley I would shout my lungs out for my country. However the wrong people are getting hold of these tickets for the England games, the REAL supporters can't afford to get their hands on them simple as that. Real supporters support their team and country, hence the word 'support'. Lets get a proper atmosphere on Wednesday and show the world how passionate we are about our beautiful game.

Posted 19:16 19th November 2007

Ed Seddoh (Manchester United fan) says...

England have the capacity to deliver the goods when it matters most, and I expect nothing less on Wednesday. It must be said though that we're dying to see not just goals from England but great display of total football dominance on the pitch against a Croatian team England on a good day would comfortably deal with. Let's see the kind of quality that saw England dismiss Argentina 3-2 in an international friendly against Argentina just before Germany 2006. Let's see the boys play on top of their game like they do for their clubs in the Champions League. The habit of sitting back to defend after going one goal up has to stop - Croatia have the potential to pile pressure and equalize. Show the world what you got, England! And Ray's right spot on - the fans should get fully behind their team. I believe they will!

Posted 09:44 19th November 2007

Marc L (Arsenal fan) says...

I am very torn on the subject discussed by Ray W and I will tell you why. Of course we need to back the national team and the players selected, but does that mean we have to accept and be happy with below-par performances? Scotland roar like they do because every game played in this euro qualifier has seen Scotland give everything and more than has been demanded of them. Sadly I do not think this is the case with England. Is it McClaren's fault? The players? I don't know but ultimately the manager needs to take responsibility. We can now finish top of the group (thanks to Israel) which is great! But the quality of our football and the determination shown in our games has not impressed me. I will always back England, but the fans need to see passion from the players and good selections and tactical decisions from the manager. If they don't why should they be happy?

Posted 09:20 19th November 2007

Tony Werrett (Liverpool fan) says...

As the well known saying goes... its a match of two halves! Hugely respect Ray Wilkins both on and off the park and agree with him at least 50%. We know how relatively cagey England managers have been in the past which is not surprising given the hammering they get from the press! I think we should hit the field running on Wednesday and throw everything bar the kitchen sink at them and try to win the match in the first 45mins. What we don`t want once again is to have to sit out another final 20 mins biting our fingernails sitting on a draw that will take us through only to witness once again the almost inevitable winning goal from Croatia. Win in the first 45 then shut up shop!

Posted 09:19 19th November 2007

Joshua Aeria (Arsenal fan) says...

Spot on, Ray. I think England is one of the few, if not sole, footballing nations that do not get much support from their fans. The fans should support the coach and team regardless. For example, our Socceroos, despite having a disappointing Asian Cup are still fully behind our players and to a lesser extent, the manager but to jeer at someone representing the country is just plain disrespectful. I mean if the fans think they can do better than said player, e.g. Lampard for instance, then by all means, try (and this is coming from a staunch Arsenal fan by the way). He was selected for a reason as were the rest of them. Additionally, I'm still puzzled that some of the young 'uns (Under 21s) haven't been called up to the senior squad, especially given the amount of injuries. Walcott and Agbonlahor are just some examples, who I feel, deserve a run in the senior squad. Compared to the likes of Bent (it sounds biased, I realise, but let's face it, he isn't playing up to scratch), England needs that bit of pace up front, or the wing and no one can deny the form that the two youngsters, and some others of the under 21's, have been in. They didn't get a %100 record by playing badly.

Posted 03:41 19th November 2007

Andy Thompson (Manchester United fan) says...

Ray Wilkins is a real knowledgable guy, especially when it comes to England, he's honest and insightful, but I will have to disagree slightly with his recommended midfield line up, I agree that we need to make sure we don't get caught by Croatia's movement, but at the same time Beckham and Joe Cole love coming infield, Cole to use his right foot and Beckham because well if I'm honest, he wants to play central midfield and doesn't always have the best positional discipline. In theory it could work very effectively, with players switching roles in a flexible midfield, such as Gerrard storming up the wing while Beckham tucks inside, and Joe Cole playing off Crouch occasionally and Barry filling the left hand side, being a left footer, but I have yet to see England's midfield showing flexibility or creating fluid movement in the midfield area, we have seen attempts to flood the midfield before and I can see it getting very congested in there, leaving space on the flanks and people getting in each others way. In theory it is a great idea, but Beckham's limited mobility these days and the midfield's general inflexibility due to ever-changing formations which we have seen before could mean it will fail in practice, again I like Ray's ideas and analysis, but I don't believe the players can pull off that style and formation effectively enough to win against Croatia, a balance must be struck, playing 4-5-1 with almost 5 central-minded players in the middle could shut out the Croatians, but I would like to see us play for more than a draw, rather than playing it safe on all areas of the pitch and hoping to score from set plays, too one-dimensional, and the Croatians are no mugs, they will defend the set plays, and look to exploit our formation

Posted 03:17 19th November 2007

Neil Munro (Liverpool fan) says...

As an English-born Scotsman I'm totally torn! On the one hand I'm gutted that (with the help of some dodgy decisions from the officials) Scotland are not going to make Euro 2008. On the other hand I'm pleased Israel have given England a second chance! My one big fear now is that we'll blow it on Wednesday and I'll be sitting here feeling doubly depressed!!!! Generally speaking I agree with Ray's proposed line up EXCEPT it seems a tad cadgey to me! Given the absence of Rooney and (following a needless match in Austria) Owen, Ray's picks probably represent our best option but let's face it, it's not ideal! It just seems to me that for too long now successive England managers have been far too bothered about 'what we have we hold' rather than 'what we have we unleash'!! The England squad has had huge amounts of talent at its disposal for several years now but it seems match after match they are constrained by defensive, negative or even reluctant managerial tactics. Maybe this is part and parcel of the manager's job being constantly under scutiny/criticism - maybe, if the , media 'backed off' a bit we might see an England manager send his team out with a remit to simply play?!!!!

Posted 01:55 19th November 2007

Peter Ferris (West Ham United fan) says...

Great comments so far. Ray Wilkins was always a very intelligent (and under-rated) player. Same as a pundit in my view. Ray and Sir Bobby have daylight between them and the rest (who are mostly poseurs in nice suits).

Posted 01:55 19th November 2007

Addison Derek (Dundee United fan) says...

The england fans MUST get behind the players/manager regardless which club they play for or managed. What happened to the wembly roar. If the scots can turn hampden into an intmitadating ground, then my english counterparts must do the same.

Posted 01:13 19th November 2007

Adnan Alam (Chelsea fan) says...

Ray wilkins is a great pundit and i believe he got it spot on. When you hear players such as Frank Lampard gettinig booed is thinks its just silly, i dont think hes englands best player but he has won 2nd best player in the world behind ronaldinho in his prime so im sure he must be talented enough for him not to get cursed at. Critics can be the downfall of England i guess. One wrong move means one more move never to do again e.g. tactically.You need time and practice for these things to work and without that we well never get the right gel between our players. We got a get out of free card having Russia lose and i hope we take it with both hands and our necks held high. We need to show the rest of Europe that we have one of the best first 11 not only on paper but on the pitch. Id think england would benefit by playing crouch on his own with Gerrard right off of Crouch and play Lampard and Barry in the centre allowing both Gerrard and Lampard do attack as they do for there clubs. Personally i think thats the right mix with Phillips on the right, J.Cole on the left. Hopefully Englands football team will do their nation proud just like the rugby team, as We have a largely talents squad but cannot seem to use it to our best advanagte. Englands fans need to stop booing and do what there best known for, showing that england is a proud nation.

Posted 00:24 19th November 2007

Dean Kirby (West Ham United fan) says...

Rays right with the booing issue as a fan who travels with England Perhaps if the odd England player could Show some valour and come over after the game and appluade the support which has been missing away from home for the Games in Isreal , Croatia & Russia (a couple always do but only two) So what if they get some stick back its when you have froze your bits off stood and watched in two out of three games a pretty gutless performance you take the rough with the smooth had my moan I will be giving my verbal support on wednesday as will all the loyal England crowd Dean Surrey Hammer

Posted 22:52 18th November 2007

Dan Misgley (Newcastle United fan) says...

I don't know what position Ray has been put in where he thinks he can slag fans off for venting their frustrations at players that lack the same passion as them. As for saying the Bentley incident is in the past, I believe people are accountable for their actions and he's done nothing to make up for his mistake. Finally to ask us to stop whingeing and be like the Scot's is rubbish. The majority of their comments are based on jealousy over English success. Even after their defeat on Sat they couldn't decide whether to moan about the ref or the English. Get a grip.

Posted 22:44 18th November 2007

Kristian Boyce (Everton fan) says...

Unfortunatley Wembley won't be able to recreate the 'Hampden Roar' due to the mass of coporate and family fans in attendance. There is a stark difference between England home and away games. The passion shown by fans at an away is completely different when England play at home. England away games are attended by die hard England fans who's passion is transferred on to the players. As new Wembley has so many coporate areas plus its family friendly image, this takes away so of the passion of the real England fan.

Posted 21:10 18th November 2007

Dean Dervish (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I like Ray Wilkins as a pundit on football yes. But after reading the comments he made regarding us (English) fans about 'whingeing,' I must say he is wrong and out of order for generalising 'all' England fans as being whingers! He must suffer from memory loss if he is to not realise this (England) is a country that prides itself on great footballers, a national team with history of winning the biggest prize (the world cup in 1966.) We all don't like seeing the team do bad, and it's natural for us to be discouraged if things aren't going well. We English are hard to please!

Posted 20:17 18th November 2007

Vinan Mistry says...

I think Ray speaks a lot of sense. Even with the backing of the players Mclaren would have had to go if Russia beat Israel or they dont qualify on Wednesday. I like the idea of having a five man midfield as we must not concede on Wednesday. Having Gerrard and Lampard in attacking roles with wide men we have a massive attacking threat. When we dont have the ball we have Barry (or Hargreaves) and a 4 man midfield. We must play it safe. Also I think the supporters really need to get behind the team on Wednesday.

Posted 19:03 18th November 2007

Dan Bickford says...

Ray Wilkins, along with Sir Bobby Robson is one of the most respected football pundits our country has to offer - he can always be relied upon to proffer an honest and introspective analysis of the game and clearly speaks with passion and pride in football and for England, the national team. I wholeheartedly agree, that we, as England fans must 'stop whingeing' and it is true that we need to move on and get behind the likes of Lampard and Bentley. There is no value whatsoever in booing the very players who hold the key to England's future success - it smacks of immaturity and disrespect and goes against the grain of our country's traditional values. I, like many other England fans, was sadly disappointed by the display against Austria. We demonstrated elements of really positive play, and were defensively sound, but lacked a potency and pentration in the attacking third. To be honest, we should be absolutely carving up a country 77 places below us in the FIFA rankings, and a lowly 1-0 win does not really illustrate our desire to perform (particularly in major tournaments) or reflect the considerable ability of our squad of players. We have been given a life-line by Israel and a chance to start demonstrating our right to sit at football's top table. Croatia on Wednesday should be viewed as an opportunity, a chance to progress and show the rest of Europe that we are a force to be reckoned with. In that, we all play our part. Let's get behind OUR team and create a positive and rousing atmosphere at Wembley. England Expects!

Posted 16:57 18th November 2007
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