Euro 2008/Croatia v England: England must withstand bombardment in the Maksimir Stadium tonight and the new manager, too, needs to steel himself. The travails of the 1-0 win in Macedonia last month were superficial by comparison with the challenge that will be set for the visitors' in Zagreb. Croatia's undefeated home record in all competitive matches is no more than a secondary factor when Steve McClaren's side must look firstly at the resources they themselves bring to this Euro 2008 qualifier.
"We have to get as much experience on that park as possible to cope with the situation," the manager said.
It is most likely that as many hardened individuals as possible will be set out in a 3-5-2 formation, although England will have to check this morning that there has been no recurrence of the back spasm that kept Rio Ferdinand out of Saturday's 0-0 with Macedonia at Old Trafford.
Presumably as a precautionary measure, his participation in training last night was limited. England therefore practised for a period with Gary Neville on the right of a three-man defence and his brother Phil at wing back on that flank.
There is an irony in McClaren's adoption of the system, unused from the outset of a game by England since 2000, just when Croatia's coach Slaven Bilic has deemed it outmoded.
The real question is how England conduct themselves within the strategy. The risk is obvious that Gary Neville and even the zestful Ashley Cole, more accustomed to being full backs, will be driven back, with the side enduring a siege.
Steven Gerrard is suspended, while Aaron Lennon and Owen Hargreaves are injured, meaning McClaren is far from having his preferred midfield. He hopes he can cram the middle of the pitch and beseech England to hold their ground. The rejigged set-up is presented as a means of coping without significant absentees.
While he points out that his defenders have been in a back three at some stage in their club careers, the ramifications of the switch will be severe for him should England lose.
With Ledley King missing because of a knee problem, Jamie Carragher, who has dropped down the pecking order, should get his first start under McClaren. The manager expects the normal trenchancy of the Liverpool player to be echoed everywhere.
The Newcastle captain, Scott Parker, who has not been capped since March 2004, is being called in to accentuate the abrasiveness.
Testosterone appears to be a key factor in this fixture so far as McClaren is concerned. "We will need character, pride, attitude and we need a team of men out there," he said.
"You have to relish these situations. Our backs are to the wall after Saturday and you have to have a reaction."
Improved football would lessen the need for macho conduct. Croatia will be daunted most of all if Wayne Rooney recaptures the form shown against them at Euro 2004 - when he last scored for England in a competitive match.
