Charlton's Wembley Win
Shearer Admits: 'We Have To Do Better'
Campbell
Fears Ref
Crackdown
Hoddle
Backs
Teddy
Scots Say
England
Will Beat
Colombia
Duff's Got
Right Stuff
For Irish
Wrighty's Chances Looking Bright
Gym'll Fix It
For Scotland
World Cup
Newsround
The Knowledge
Today's Telly
Today's Trivia
Bollocks!
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Tuesday 26 May 1998
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 News 2 
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SHEARER: ‘WE CAN'T PLAY LIKE THAT IN FRANCE'
England Captain Admits Saturday Display Was Poor
ALAN SHEARER has warned that England must improve on Saturday's lacklustre performance against Saudi Arabia if they are to make any impact in next month's World Cup. Glenn Hoddle's men struggled against opposition hand-picked to give them a victorious send-off in their last Wembley game before France 98, and captain Shearer agrees with disgruntled fans that such a performance will simply not be good enough in the games that matter.
"It's certainly important that Saturday's game wasn't in the World Cup because it's vital we get that sort of performance out of our system before France," said Shearer. "We can't afford that in the World Cup. That was the good thing to take from the game, that there were no points at stake. But, in all honesty, it is a case of the least said the better about that match.
"I think we are entitled to have an off day but Glenn Hoddle said that the Saudis were similar opposition to what we will face in our first World Cup game - and we will have to do better to beat Tunisia. What Saturday did was to emphasise again that while certain teams will be favourites there will certainly be no mugs in the World Cup. But I don't think it is a case of us needing a kick up the backside or having to remotivate or refocus. The lads wanted to go out on Saturday and put on a performance with a few goals thrown in to send us on our way, but you don't always get what you want in football.
And Shearer insisted that England shouldn't be written off because of their decidedly dodgy build-up, which has seen a loss to Chile and draws with Switzerland (who failed to qualify) and the Saudis. We should be judged in France, which is where every team will be judged, he said. We will do all we can and if that is good enough, then great. But if not, then no-one can ask any more of us. However, we are confident that with our ability, coupled with a bit of luck, we have got a decent chance of being successful."
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CAMPBELL FEARS THE EARLY BATH
SOL CAMPBELL fears that his physical style could end in the shame of a red card at the World Cup. The England and Tottenham defender says FIFA's crackdown on tackles from behind could mean the end for the combative defending that has made him an international.
England coach Glenn Hoddle is already worried that the new regulations could cause major problems for players such as Campbell, Paul Ince and David Batty in France. World Cup referee Paul Durkin was drafted in to work with the squad, warning them that the tackles from behind they've made for years could now have dire consequences.
And after listening to Durkin's advice, Campbell believes defenders will have to extremely careful in order to avoid an early bath: "He has shown us what can happen during the tournament if we go in from behind. You just have to stay on your feet. There was one situation he showed us where you can tackle from the side and get a yellow card when, in the Premiership, it would be nothing. It's getting a bit like basketball, where you can't touch a guy or it's a foul."
England's new cautious approach was painfully evident in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia. Hoddle's side committed only six fouls - even the ever-competitive Batty managed to avoid his customary yellow card - but the visitors took advantage of defenders standing off them to cut through time and again.
HODDLE BACKS
SHERINGHAM
GLENN HODDLE has leapt to the defence of under-fire striker Teddy Sheringham after the Manchester United man was booed off the pitch during Saturday's dull 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia.
Even though the Old Trafford marksman has been off-form for club and country in recent matches, Hoddle still believes that the Alan Shearer and Sheringham partnership that worked so well in Euro 96 will be England's best choice for France. Liverpool starlet Michael Owen, it seems, will have to settle for a place on the substitutes' bench.
"Teddy's been struggling and he's sometimes had a bit of indifferent form for his club," admitted the England coach. "But when he's come to us, he's scored with Alan and put in good performances. Teddy's an international player and has experience at that level. He is probably more suited to international football than League football. He's come good when it matters in the past, so there's no reason to suggest that should change in anybody's mind.
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‘I SAVED SICKNOTE'
SAYS FAITH HEALER
FAITH healer Eileen Drewery has held her hands up and claimed the credit for Darren Anderton's re-emergence on the international stage in time to clinch a place in England's World Cup squad. Anderton had missed almost two seasons with various injuries leading to fans dubbing him ‘Sicknote' - but, after a series of visits to Drewery, he's fit and ready for France.
"He saw doctors all over the place but they could never find out what was wrong with him, said Drewery. They were looking for the wrong things. I found out that his hamstrings were contracting and that related to problems in his back and groin. I made him do a new stretching exercise which makes all the difference. He may suffer new injuries, but I'm convinced he will never have the same problem."
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