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Three Lions try to end Wembley slump

Comment: 0 September 5th, 2011 by: admin

THEY may be good away in the Euro 2012 qualifying this year but England need to impress at home.

To win at Wembley would be the Three Lions’ goal when they battle dangerous Wales in Group G on Tuesday as they bid to move closer to next year’s European finals.

With Wayne Rooney back to his old deadly form and manager Fabio Capello’s new-look roster delivering, England look capable of achieving that.

Rooney scored in all of Manchester United first 3 fixtures in the Premier League this season and also converted in England’s 3-0 blasting of Bulgaria last Friday.

Coach Fabio Capello’s men kept their perfect away run in qualifying after ripping Bulgaria as they vaulted 3 points clear ahead of closest rival Montenegro who went down 1-2 at Wales.

If they beat their British rival lying 113 places lower in the rankings, England will gain a 6-point advantage and more importantly, they will end a 4-match winless streak at Wembley.

Rooney said their second-round exit in last year’s World Cup had buoyed them to regroup and perform better.

“We have responded well to what happened at the World Cup and we’ve done well through the qualifiers,’’ said Rooney, whose resurgence is believed to be due to his newly-transplanted hair.

Wales will miss the services of suspended striker Craig Bellamy but they will be inspired by that triumph over Montenegro.

The presence of Tottenham winger Gareth Bale and Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey should also be a cause for worry for Capello.

“I respect any opponent. The FIFA ranking is one thing (performance on) the pitch is another. It will be a tough game,’’ he said, while adding that Wales have some dangerous players and others who are improving a lot.

Capello stressed that he won’t change his lineup, with Chelsea veteran Frank Lampard expected to be benched again in favour of Scott Parker and Gareth Barry.

Defending his decision on Lampard, Capello said as a manager, he needs to choose the players, not the name.

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