McClaren refuses to play blame game after Robinson error

By Mitch Phillips

LONDON (Reuters) - England coach Steve McClaren refused to point the finger at blundering Paul Robinson after the goalkeeper's error gifted Germany an equaliser in Wednesday's 2-1 friendly defeat at Wembley Stadium.

England led with a 10th minute Frank Lampard goal but Robinson handed Kevin Kuranyi an equaliser when, straining under his bar to reach a Bernd Schneider cross, he palmed it straight to the striker's feet. Kuranyi gratefully swept the ball into the gaping net from a meter out.

Debutant Christian Pander lashed in what proved to be the winner five minutes before halftime, when Robinson was replaced by David James in what McClaren said was a pre-decided move.

"I haven't had a really good chance to study it," McClaren said of the 26th minute error.

"Of course it's disappointing to concede that goal, it may have been a mistake but there were two or three mistakes before that so I'm disappointed with that.

"It's only half an hour after the game, I need to look at the video ... I can't make any public comments about the keepers or any of the outfield players."

Robinson has been under pressure since last October's howler when he swung a wild boot at a Gary Neville back pass and saw it bobble beyond him and into his own net as England lost 2-0 to Croatia in a Euro 2008 qualifier.

McClaren also had concerns at the other end of the pitch where lax finishing allowed half a dozen decent opportunities to slip away.