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Micah Richards on England
By Chris Bevan
I am sure if we are at our best against Israel and Russia then we will definitely get the good results that we need
Micah Richards
It is now or never for England as they prepare for their crunch Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Russia.
The pressure is most certainly on for Steve McClaren's men ahead of their Wembley showdown with two of the three teams currently sitting above them in Group E.
McClaren is missing several key players through injury with Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and David Beckham definitely out and Steven Gerrard a major doubt.
So can England rise to the occasion without some of their biggest stars?
Manchester City defender Micah Richards, who is likely to play at right-back in both matches, gives BBC Sport his perspective from within the England camp.
THE TASK AHEAD
Israel and Russia are both definitely must-win games. We know we need maximum points to have a good chance of getting out of our group.
But that's when I think England play best - when we are under a bit of pressure and we have got to win.
The papers are writing us off but we are at home and we will have the fans behind us.
I was using my young legs and energy and he was using his old head and just picking out the passes
Micah Richards on David Beckham against Germany
People seem to have forgotten our performance was good in last month's friendly with Germany even if the result wasn't.
If you watch that game again and you count how many shots we had, and the possession we had, we did well. Germany were just a bit more clinical and that is where we have to improve.
But if we are creating chances that is always good - we just need to put a couple of those chances in the back of the net and we will be fine.
I am sure if we are at our best against Israel and Russia then we will definitely get the good results that we need.
INJURY PROBLEMS AND NEW BOYS
We are missing a few players and some less experienced players have been called up.
It is just like with me, when I made my England debut, and a lot of people said 'he is only 18, is he ready yet?'.
606: DEBATE
Your chance to quiz Micah
But this is where another player can come in and show what he can do.
For example, Joleon Lescott has done very well for Everton and I am surprised he has not been called up earlier.
He has got his call now and if he plays it will be his turn to show what he can do at this level because he definitely shows it week-in week-out in the Premier League.
Joleon has been given his chance and now it is up to him.
MISSING BECKHAM
Beckham is out of action with a knee ligament injury
The Germany game was the first time I had met David and he is a really nice guy. He just said to me 'go out there and play'.
I was doing most of the running and he was doing most of the passing. I was using my young legs and energy and he was using his old head and just picking out the passes.
We worked well as a couple. I am a bit gutted that he is not here again to see him and speak to him but I am sure he will be back after his injury.
It could mean I will link up with Shaun Wright-Phillips on the right which would be nice - we both came through the City academy together. Fingers crossed it will happen and hopefully we will have a good game.
JAMES OR ROBINSON?
They are both good keepers - but I would stick with Paul Robinson.
He has made a few mistakes but we are all human and everyone goes through a bad patch. It is the first time he has been slated since he became the regular England keeper in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.
I am not sure it is right for people to question him now - in my eyes he is still England's number one.
DIFFERENT POSITIONS - AND AMBITIONS
I have been playing centre-back for City and right-back for England.
Sometimes when you are playing at centre-back it is just about getting in the right positions and getting your passing right.
At right-back sometimes you forget you have to go and help out down the wing and offer support.
So moving from one to the other, I am sometimes thinking 'am I in the right place, am I doing this right?'
Terry and Ferdinand are established as England's first-choice centre-backs
It can get a bit like that sometimes but, like I have said before, I play wherever I am put - I will just do it for the team.
I don't mind playing right-back or centre-half for City. Right-back means I can get forward more but as my career goes on I think I will become a centre-half.
For England I would like to play right-back because John Terry and Rio Ferdinand are cemented in the centre there.
It is a big year for England with the Euro 2008 qualifiers and then hopefully the finals next summer too.
Hopefully I will stay in the squad and play my part in helping us qualify.
If we make it, I would be delighted to go to the finals if I am picked and then, who knows? if Gary Neville is not fit I may even get a run-out.
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