England squad protected from fans

[Mac 10 †]

England squad protected from fans

Some of England's squad had to be moved for their own safety during the match against Andorra, BBC Sport has learned.
 
Boss Steve McClaren and his players were subjected to a torrent of abuse by a large group of England fans during the Euro 2008 qualifier in Barcelona.

The Football Association confirmed to BBC Five Live that the non-playing squad members were forced to retreat to the dressing room before half-time.

England won 3-0 after failing to score in the first half against the minnows.

The FA said its action in moving the non-playing squad members was "precautionary".

But BBC Five Live football correspondent Jonathan Legard added: "Pre-emptive or not, how many times have England players been the focus of such vitriol from their own followers that FA security officials have felt the need to move them out of the firing line?

"Even allowing for the inadequacy of the stewarding at the stadium, this marks a new low in relations between England players and their supporters."

McClaren was already under intense pressure following his side's 0-0 draw with Israel on Saturday.

But the booing of the manager and England's players reached a crescendo at the end of a dire first half against lowly Andorra.

England went on to score three second-half goals, two from Steven Gerrard and a debut strike for Preston's David Nugent.

However, the scoreline failed to appease England's travelling supporters, who continued to boo after the final whistle.

[KURUPTION-81]

Some england fans are idiots, hurling abuse at the team wont help at all.

I wasnt in favour of appointing mcclaren in the first place but there is no point of chants of "mcclaren is a wanker", "we still want mcclaren out". You look at some of the fans and they look so simple minded id be surprised if they know the difference between 4-4-2 and 4-5-1.

Personally club football to me is much more important than international.

[bez]

I disagree.  If you are upset then you have every right to chant fuck off or whatever you like.

England are shit, they have been shit for a few years now.  They play the most unattractive, boring football in the world.  Something needs to be done. 

[Don Seer]

what needs to be done is.. people need to wake up and realise we're not the best team in the world

[Mac 10 †]

what needs to be done is.. people need to wake up and realise we're not the best team in the world

Far from it.

But the "belief" is always there ahead of every tournament.

Maybe if the fans and media set their targets a little lower they wouldn't be as upset when they get knocked out.

[Boo-Yaa †]

what needs to be done is.. people need to wake up and realise we're not the best team in the world

Exactly!

When i watch the world cup I have to put the tv on mute! Cannot handle it!..

[bez]

I know we aint the best team in the world.  But neither are Portugal, Italy etc.

I wouldnt care if teams like Andorra beat us 2-0, if we played like a team and played attractive football then I would accept it.  The fact is, England at the moment play utterly shite football, there seems to be no team ethic.  And far too many players carry others.  Like Gerrard and Terry.

Rooney,
Downing,
Lennon,
Phil Neville,
Johnson,
Lampard,

All need to buck their ideas up big time.  Defensivly we could be the strongest team in the world, but attacking is terrible.  Rooney needs to play deeper, Lampard needs to be benched.  Johnson needs balls to run onto.  Gerrards needs to be able to attack freely.  Theres no point playing wingers and telling them to cross the ball if you got two strikers just over 5' in the area.  A shearer, a Sheringham up front, yeah, cross the ball, but not to two midgets. 

[KURUPTION-81]

I disagree.  If you are upset then you have every right to chant fuck off or whatever you like.

England are shit, they have been shit for a few years now.  They play the most unattractive, boring football in the world.  Something needs to be done. 

i dont think chanting obscenties will help the team in anyway, get behind the team. I dont buy that whole we spent lots of money watching england so they should play better. Its your choice to pay the money, you know the team might not win. Its as stupid as when people say so and so is payed a 100 grand a week so he should score every chance, extra monay dont make you a better player.

what needs to be done is.. people need to wake up and realise we're not the best team in the world

Exactly!

When i watch the world cup I have to put the tv on mute! Cannot handle it!..

yeah it annoys me they build the team up and slate them, only one team can win the world cup or european championships and most likely it wont be england. A lot of england fans seem to think because we invented the game and won the world cup once then we have a god given right to win all the tournoments. They dont seem to take into account there are probably 8 better teams than us.

I know we aint the best team in the world.  But neither are Portugal, Italy etc.

I wouldnt care if teams like Andorra beat us 2-0, if we played like a team and played attractive football then I would accept it.  The fact is, England at the moment play utterly shite football, there seems to be no team ethic.  And far too many players carry others.  Like Gerrard and Terry.

Rooney,
Downing,
Lennon,
Phil Neville,
Johnson,
Lampard,

All need to buck their ideas up big time.  Defensivly we could be the strongest team in the world, but attacking is terrible.  Rooney needs to play deeper, Lampard needs to be benched.  Johnson needs balls to run onto.  Gerrards needs to be able to attack freely.  Theres no point playing wingers and telling them to cross the ball if you got two strikers just over 5' in the area.  A shearer, a Sheringham up front, yeah, cross the ball, but not to two midgets. 

i agree defensivley we are very good, keeper wise im not convinced with robinson.

Didnt you say previously lampard was one of the best players in the world  anyway he has to be dropped and play hargreaves and gerrard in the centre . Lennon on the right and joe cole on the left when he is fit. Unfortunatly we dont have any world class strikers, rooney doesent score enough and the rest bar owen havent scored over 20 goals in one season. Defoe is never going to be good enough, the same goes for crouch. Johnson hasnt played enough at international level for me to say if he can make the step up.

[bez]

Lampard is world class, but he and Gerrard can't play together and Gerrard needs to play Center Mid.  Common knowledge.

[K.Dub]

Does P. Neville still pay for England? 

[Noname]

what needs to be done is.. people need to wake up and realise we're not the best team in the world

Thats the same in holland. Thats why Feyenoord winning the Champions League >>> Holland winning the World Cup