Group E/England v Estonia: Considering the 18 goals they have already conceded in Group E, Estonia could be regarded as a beginners' course for strikers. Although Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney are far from being novices, their partnership in attack for England has barely started to come to life. Some sort of rapport must be developed because Steve McClaren will need players of their quality in harmony if his team reach the Euro 2008 finals.
The manager has an even more pressing reason for praying that they dovetail, because England must be at their best in Moscow on Wednesday if they are to finish in the top two in their group. Victory today would, with a game more played, open a five-point lead over Russia. Unhappy statistics, however, imply that Owen would do better with virtually anyone but Rooney beside him, possibly including the driver of the team bus.
It would be disturbing for McClaren if he ever felt forced to drop the Manchester United player or find another position for him. Fortunately for the manager, memories of the combination to be used at Wembley this afternoon are virtually in sepia. Rooney and Owen were last in tandem 16 months ago, for the group match with Sweden in the 2006 World Cup. Only now are they simultaneously fit.
McClaren has the right to believe the final word has yet to be delivered on the combination. After all, Rooney, implausibly, is only 21. The manager was glad to hear this young player scolding himself the other day for his England displays. An understanding has to be reached because the potential of the line-up can never be realised if the two men fail to attune to each other.
England in most respects are heartened. A year ago the misery of a defeat to Croatia in Zagreb had followed an even less understandable 0-0 draw with Macedonia at Old Trafford. The cares now being shed originated there. Progress has been made in the subsequent 12 months and McClaren seems to be steeling himself to stand by a policy that grew out of an accident.
Gareth Barry and Steven Gerrard complemented each other perfectly last month when Frank Lampard was injured. Now Gerrard hints strongly that Barry must keep his place and the England manager is probably of like mind. "The pairings have been good," said McClaren when accounting for the upsurge in form. Lampard, who has only one game under his belt since August 25th, should probably limit his hopes to an outing as a substitute today, with a tactical rejig perhaps bringing full reinstatement in Moscow.
The manager has been thinking about leaving out players who would be banned for the Russia game if cautioned today. Ashley Cole, who has served one suspension in Group E already, comes into that category and Nicky Shorey could deputise for him.
McClaren, though, may reckon that Sol Campbell, in for the injured John Terry, would benefit from having his former Arsenal team-mate nearby.
Hard as they strive to be tactful, England keep betraying the truth that a fixture with Estonia cannot be viewed in isolation. There will be an emphasis on seeking first-half goals that will dispose of this match early and so conserve energy for Moscow. Didn't England, after all, score six times in total against Israel and Russia last month?
The manager would love to think his men are following the same unheralded course as the rugby team who meet France in the World Cup this evening.
"I watched them three or four games ago," said McClaren, "and no one gave England a chance of being in the position they are in. It's because of the character, the commitment that they have shown that they are in the semi-final. I think we can all take lessons from that."
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