McClaren defends friendlies
England manager Steve McClaren insists there is a conscious policy to ensure friendly games are never looked on as meaningless affairs by fans or players.
The national team lined up against five-times world champions Brazil in June and take on Germany next Wednesday as McClaren assesses his options ahead of two crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers next month.
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Friendly fire: Steve McClaren
He believes the level of opposition is important to ensure players are up for the fight after friendlies were derided under his predecessor Sven-Goran Eriksson as pointless exercises punctuated by constant substitutions.
McClaren told BBC Radio Five Live: "We did make a policy that they were going to be tough friendlies.
"I've been involved with England for six years now and friendlies have always been a bone of contention for everybody, but I do think playing teams like Holland, Spain, Germany, not only inspires the fans but also the players want to play in these big games.
"That was proved in the Brazil game at Wembley. It was a fantastic occasion for the fans and the players, and the players actually gave a great performance and we need to take that on. "England v Germany is always a big game. That should inspire the players and should inspire the fans."
