14 November 2007 VIDEO: Steven Gerrard press conference Steven Gerrard talks to the media ahead of England’s trip to Austria, and crucial Euro 2008 qualifier with Croatia at Wembley. Austria v England
International Friendly
8pm, Friday 16 November 2007
Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna
Live on Sky Sports
Steven Gerrard is urging England supporters to stay as positive as possible as the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign draws to a fascinating close.
England play Austria in a friendly game in Vienna on Friday hoping that it will prove the perfect warm-up for the biggest game of their lives.
That’s exactly what England v Croatia will be billed as next Wednesday if the Three Lions go into it with a real chance of reaching the finals.
And that will be the case if Group E rivals Croatia lose to Macedonia on Saturday or if Russia fail to win in Tel Aviv the same day.
Even if both those teams pick up a perfect three points at the weekend England could still qualify if they beat Croatia at Wembley and Russia lose to Andorra on the final day of the campaign.
That last scenario may seem unlikely but England captain Gerrard is hoping supporters will stick with his team right until the bitter end.
“It’s out of my control how fans react and they are entitled to their opinion,” he said. “If we don’t get to the finals we are in for a difficult night on Wednesday, which is understandable. As a player you have to be a man and take it on the chin.
“But it’s not going to help the team if we get jeered. I would plead for the fans to stay with us, we do need them. You do need supporters through difficult times as well as good ones.
“I’m an England fan as well and I understand them being frustrated if we don’t qualify. They want to be there. They are the best supporters out there and they want to be in Austria and Switzerland. But we have to stay positive and give it everything.”
Gerrard realises there will be a lot of pressure on England’s players over the next few days and is relishing the chance to let their football do the talking in Vienna on Friday.
“I think it will help,” he said. “It helps to take the focus off the Israel and Russia game and also Croatia.
“It’s a chance to play another international game and get a win and breed some confidence. I could be sitting here on Monday a couple of days away from one of the biggest internationals ever.”
Source: ‘Stay positive’
