Stand up and be counted, roars Terry

A way with words: Terry will try to fire up England in Zagreb tonight
14 April 2012

John Terry tonight delivered a stirring speech to England's players before a crucial European Championship clash that Steve McClaren says only a team of 'men' can survive.

England skipper Terry has prepared for the game against Croatia at a potentially hostile Maksimir Stadium by sitting through two torturous repeats of Saturday's crushing goalless draw against Macedonia.

And he demanded a response to that performance with a rousing, chest-beating display of his own.

"I will give a speech before the game which will be between me and the rest of the players," said Terry before the game. "But it will certainly be strong. It will be very similar to a "stand up and be counted" message.

"I haven't given a speech for the last couple of games. I gave a speech for the first couple of games under the new boss but I've stopped it for the last couple. This time, I feel I want to do it."

McClaren welcomed the news when he heard what Terry had in mind and then delivered a few stirring words of his own. He said: 'The only convincing we can do is on the field but we have come here looking for a reaction after Saturday.

"We need character, we need pride, we need passion and attitude and we need a team of men out there who have the experience to handle the situation.

"I think John Terry epitomises that and a big reaction is what we will be looking for. It's about playing for the shirt. It's about attitude and workrate. We have to be mean. We have to make sure we are effective."

McClaren suffered another injury setback yesterday when Ledley King withdrew with the knee problem that forced him to miss training on Monday. He did not even travel with the squad to Zagreb yesterday.

That has forced McClaren to turn to Jamie Carragher as a replacement but he still organised his England side in the 3-5-2 formation he used in training on Monday and for two sessions last week.

Scott Parker will make his competitive debut for England in a five-man midfield that sees Gary Neville and Ashley Cole deployed as wingbacks.

Croatia coach Slaven Bilic responded defiantly to claims that Croatia may be thrown out of the qualifying process if their supporters racially abuse England players.

Croatian FA officials issued a statement claiming that racism was not an issue in their country and Bilic jumped to the defence of the country's supporters.

He said: "We're friendly people, peace-loving people. In Spain, Italy and Germany you also have individuals at football who are off their rocker.

"Croatia is a tourist country and we like foreigners here. If someone in the stands shouts something, what are you going to do, cut their tongue out?

"In my team we have Da Silva, who is a black player, and in the Dinamo Zagreb team that played Arsenal they had five black players. We're a country that welcomes foreign people.

"You cannot judge a country on one, 10 or 100 people. You cannot stop one person shouting. The people who do it don't even know why they are doing it."

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