England News

• Nickname:Three Lions
• Founded: 1872
• Manager:Roy Hodgson

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Lampard calls for unity

09 Oct 2006 - 14:35:10

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Chelsea and England star Frank Lampard thinks that the only way Steve McClaren's side will come away from Croatia on Wednesday with a good result is if the team sticks together.

England were poor in Saturday's goalless draw against FYR Macedonia at Old Trafford and Lampard knows that the midweek Euro 2008 qualifier in Zagreb will be a tough test for McClaren's men.

The Croatians haven't lost a competitive match at home for 12 years and Lampard knows the pitfalls that England face.

He told the FA's official website: "Potentially Croatia away is our hardest fixture in the group, although Russia and Israel are also difficult.

"We've got to go there and stand up to a good technical team and a hostile crowd, and show what we are as a team.

"It's important to stay together as a team. We're a realistic bunch and know when you're winning games and think you have the hang of it things can go wrong.

"We have to look at the negatives and the things we didn't do right against Macedonia and make them right. But we have to stay positive.

"Croatia always produce players form a young age, technically good players who have a bit of an edge to them. They are determined and will be desperate to beat us.

"They are tactically a good team as well. I watched them in the World Cup against Brazil and they gave them a really tough game. That's the kind of players they've got.

"I scored against them in the Euros so those are good memories and it would be a good time to get another one on Wednesday."