| Euro 2008: Richards the wing commander |
|
|
|
| Written by Zico Kelly | |||||||
|
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
|
|||||||
 Man City star Micah Richards says he relishes his right wing defensive role he plays to such brilliant effect for England. Man City are a sure fire -200 odds with Bodog to beat Birmingham this weekend. Richards plays at centre half for his club, Man City, but the 19-year-old finds himself in the unusual position of being an England regular at right full-back."It doesn’t matter which position I am chosen in, I will give it 100%," he said. "But for now I get most enjoyment bombing down the wing and getting involved in the play. I am young and enthusiastic and just want to get down the wing as much as I can. It's when I get older and start losing my legs a little bit - that's when I reckon I will move into the middle." His club manager at City, Sven-Goran Eriksson, contacted England chief Steve McClaren over the summer to assure him that his central City role would not affect his ability to play on the right for his country. There are rumours that Richards may be deployed at centre half against the Russians on Wednesday if John Terry and Sol Campbell fail to shake off injuries. Terry played in central defence next to Rio Ferdinand during England's astro-turf practice at the Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College in Manchester. England will play Russia on an astroturf pitch on Wednesday night. England are +125 odds to beat Russia on Wednesday night with Bodog. McLaren has raised the possibility of using Frank Lampard in a three-man midfield in the Luzhniki Stadium but that would involve a radical change of tactics and is considered by many experts to be too big a gamble for such a vital game. Victory will ensure England a place at Euro 2008. Everton’s Joleon Lescott is expected to fill in for Ashley Cole at left-back. It´s a position he has never played in for his country and could potentially be a weak link for England. Russia are generally available at +190 to beat England.                        |
|||||||
| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 16 October 2007 ) | |||||||