Gerrard calls for England patience against San Marino
England captain Steven Gerrard has said Roy Hodgson’s side need to be patient against San Marino in Friday's World Cup qualifier, the Daily Mirror has reported.
Gerrard recalled the memory of playing Andorra in 2007, when the minnows held England to a goalless draw at half-time and the travelling Three Lions supporters were not slow to voice their displeasure at what they had seen from Steve McClaren’s side.
England eventually won that match 3-0 - Gerrard scoring twice - and the Liverpool skipper believes fixtures against the likes of Andorra and San Marino are no-win situations for countries the size of England.
He added: “We know we're on a hiding to nothing. If we don't win the game by more than three or four goals, we'll get no credit, only criticism. These games are difficult, different challenges and things we're not used to. It's going to be attack versus defence and we'll have the majority of the ball.
“Their tactics are to frustrate and slow it down. Even at Wembley we had possession and were creating chances, but we didn't have the first goal until the half-hour mark.”
A pair of goals each from Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck, and one from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, gave England victory over San Marino at the national stadium in October. England are currently second in Group H with a match against leaders Montenegro to come on Tuesday.
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