Steven Gerrard believes England have successfully tamed the fear factor that once undermined them in critical contests at Wembley Stadium and he will lead the side out against Poland on Tuesday night hoping to become "the proudest man in the country" by securing a place at the World Cup finals in Brazil. A victory for Roy Hodgson's team against the Poles, a side ranked 65 in the world who languish in fourth place in Group H with no chance of qualification, will stave off the threat posed by Ukraine and guarantee English progress. Gerrard's psyche has been scarred by England's loss to Croatia at the national stadium six years ago, a defeat which he will "take to the grave" and which cost Steve McClaren's side a place at Euro 2008. The captain has spoken to the younger members of the squad about the traumas of that night in the hope it acts as motivation to avoid a repeat. Gerrard and his deputy, Frank Lampard, are the only survivors from the starting line-up in that 3-2 defeat. McClaren's successor, Fabio Capello, subsequently pointed to his team playing "with problems" and a loss of confidence caused by pressure telling on the bigger occasions at Wembley. "I don't think that will ever disappear totally," said Gerrard, who will eclipse Sir Bobby Charlton by gaining his 107th cap, one behind Bobby Moore, against Poland. "There's a huge expectation among the fans and the media that comes with playing for England but the word 'fear' isn't helpful. There is pressure but you've got to be excited by games like this, about being in this position. Steven Gerrard England England captain Steven Gerrard said of Tuesday's World Cup qualifier against Poland: 'We're all aware about how big this is, and about what's at stake, and we need to seize this moment.' Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images "At times in the past the team has played with too much fear and pressure on us but Roy has created an atmosphere that is very relaxed but, at the same time, very professional, and he continues to show trust in his players. We're all aware about how big this is and about what's at stake and we need to seize this moment. I'll be the proudest man in the country if we get the win we're after. "When Roy first called me and gave me the captaincy full time, this was the job he gave me: to do as well as we could in the Euros and then lead the lads to Brazil. So it would be a big personal achievement for me to say I was the real captain through a campaign and took the lads to Brazil. I'd be delighted. "We want to try and avoid the play-off situation, even it is a safety net, but the lads want to get the job done and finish it off in style in front of our fans." Hodgson will inform the players of his line-up at a team meeting on Tuesday lunchtime but is expected to play Phil Jones at right-back for the suspended Kyle Walker and could make one further change by bringing in Michael Carrick for Frank Lampard to freshen up midfield. Phil Jagielka suffered a cut lip in the warm-up at training at London Colney on Monday while Andros Townsend, an inspirational debutant against Montenegro last Friday, is expected to recover from a kick to his left leg in that 4-1 win. "Andros took a knock," said Hodgson, "but we're very confident he'll be fit." The manager retains faith in his players' ability to prevail against opponents backed by a vociferous visiting support, but with only pride to play for, but conceded he is "a worrier" before decisive contests such as this. "It won't be my best night's sleep ahead of this game because at the moment all of my waking thoughts are around England versus Poland," he said. "On the other hand I have great faith and trust in the players. I don't think I could be putting a stronger bunch of players, a more confident bunch of players, on to the field. But football is not a science and you worry something untoward might happen. "There's also a large element of excitement and anticipation. This group of players give me a lot of inspiration. I've been inspired by the training sessions we've been doing in the camp and the performance last Friday. "We can do no more. We've prepared, we're ready. Bring the game on." Lets have no **** ups now lads. Early goal and 2-0 up by half time will do. The third straight after will do nicely. Not sure i like the idea of Jones at RB, better than Smalling mind
I hope we're positive from the start. If we're a bit cautious, against a team with no pressure on them, and 20k rowdy fans, we could make life very difficult for ourselves. Attack from the off, please.
Football World Cup Europe Qualifiers Azerbaijan v Russia Full Time Result 15/10/2013 18:00 Russia @ 2/7 Extra Time Does Not Count. Football World Cup Europe Qualifiers Greece v Liechtenstein Full Time Result 15/10/2013 18:00 Greece @ 1/66 Extra Time Does Not Count. Football World Cup Europe Qualifiers Lithuania v Bosnia-Herz Full Time Result 15/10/2013 18:00 Bosnia-Herz @ 2/7 Extra Time Does Not Count. Football World Cup Europe Qualifiers Romania v Estonia Full Time Result 15/10/2013 19:00 Romania @ 1/6 Extra Time Does Not Count. Football World Cup Europe Qualifiers Turkey v Holland Full Time Result 15/10/2013 19:00 Holland @ 7/4 Extra Time Does Not Count. Football World Cup Europe Qualifiers Serbia v Macedonia Full Time Result 15/10/2013 19:30 Serbia @ 2/5 Extra Time Does Not Count. Football World Cup Europe Qualifiers Republic of Ireland v Kazakhstan Full Time Result 15/10/2013 19:45 Republic of Ireland @ 2/7 Extra Time Does Not Count. Football World Cup Europe Qualifiers Italy v Armenia Full Time Result 15/10/2013 19:45 Italy @ 1/3 Football World Cup Europe Qualifiers Sweden v Germany Full Time Result 15/10/2013 19:45 Germany @ 2/3 Football World Cup Europe Qualifiers Belgium v Wales Full Time Result 15/10/2013 20:00 Belgium @ 1/5 Extra Time Does Not Count. Football World Cup Europe Qualifiers England v Poland Full Time Result 15/10/2013 20:00 England @ 1/4 Extra Time Does Not Count. Football World Cup Europe Qualifiers France v Finland Full Time Result 15/10/2013 20:00 France @ 2/9 Football World Cup Europe Qualifiers Montenegro v Moldova Full Time Result 15/10/2013 20:00 Montenegro @ 2/7 Extra Time Does Not Count. Football World Cup Europe Qualifiers Spain v Georgia Full Time Result 15/10/2013 20:00 Spain @ 1/20 Extra Time Does Not Count. Football World Cup Europe Qualifiers Portugal v Luxembourg Full Time Result 15/10/2013 18:00 Portugal @ 1/50 Extra Time Does Not Count. 53/1. Mental. Only worry is Germany not beating Sweden, the Swede's have been fecking good at home. All to win both halves at 98/1: England v Poland England @ 11/8 Belgium v Wales Belgium @ 6/5 Italy v Armenia Italy @ 7/4 Lithuania v Bosnia-Herz Bosnia-Herz @ 13/8 Azerbaijan v Russia Russia @ 13/8
Turkey v Holland might well let you down as well. Also, I'd be very surprised if none of those games are drawn.
For anyone who's given up on England already, the ressies are playing Mansfield at Ferriby tonight and McShane, Proschwitz, Meyler and Sagbo are all in the squad.
Turkey are ****, against a Holland team that won 8-1 on Friday against an equally crap Hungary. A Holland team with player such as Robin Van Persie, Arjen Robben, Nigel De Jong to name but 3. Can't see any other than Sweden v Germany being drawn to be honest, although France and Portugal have an alarming ability to **** me over and Spain have suddenly turned to dog ****.
I know and i shall be at Ferriby. England can wait. Will watch the game when i get home if its worth it Or i shall just watch the itv highlights show @ 11pm. I expect England to win with ease if they play anything like. NB. Ghana v. Egypt(Elomo and Gedo) kicks off at 5pm UK time for those who watch the Live streams. This si the first Leg. 2nd Leg in November 16-19th ish. Jamaica v. Honduras(Figueroa) kicks off @ 2am weds for those who cannot sleep. Honduras need a draw at least to make Brazil 2014.
Probable line up. Woy drops Fat Frank for Carrick. Not happy about that. Hart Jones Cahill Jagielka Baines Carrick Gerrard (c) Townsend Rooney Welbeck Sturridge
Why is it France and Portugal always seem to end up struggling to qualify? Mind you France always **** it up as soon as they get there too. I'm surprised Wilshere is seen to be 4th choice for this game. I still think he's one of our best players.
Twice, one in the cup against Derby and he came off the bench against Donny. He's the kind of bloke that, if you make eye contact with him, he'll break your legs.
Same here. I was about to stick a fiver on the draw( which had gone to quite long odds)to cover all angles when the twats equalised. If I'd been ten seconds earlier I'd have been £80 up. Ronaldo is starting to test my patience.
