Seaman urges McClaren to bring back Robinson for Wembley showdown

The Tottenham player watched from the bench in Vienna as debutant Scott Carson kept a clean sheet in the victory over Austria on Friday night.

Scroll down for more

Rivals: Paul Robinson (left) and Scott Carson

Robinson, along with the far from match-fit David Beckham, now only have one more day to persuade McClaren that they should start at Wembley.

The Spurs No1 looked shorn of confidence in training yesterday but former Arsenal legend Seaman, who won 75 international caps, insists McClaren should keep faith with Robinson who has played in all 11 qualifying matches and kept nine clean sheets.

He said: "Robinson has to play. He has made some great saves and is the man to do the job. Scott Carson shouldn't get the nod. It just wouldn't be the right move."

Robinson also received the backing from Seaman's former club manager at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, who also insisted that the Spurs star should play.

He said: "Nobody has found an obvious solution [to the goalkeeper question] apart from Paul Robinson. I still think he [McClaren] will go for continuity on that front and the whole country has to be behind that because Robinson has delivered good games for his country as well."

Seaman has also warned that trying to play for a draw can be a dangerous game.

He played in the 2-2 draw with Greece six years ago when a win would have taken England through - as it was a draw was enough after Germany drew with Finland and Seaman insisted: "We probably got a little carried away with ourselves.

"We looked like we were out before the win over Germany and by the time we got to Old Trafford, maybe we were a little affected by the pressure.

"I'm sure this game will be very similar. The pressure will be there, so it's important the fans get behind the team. Its a one-off game and being in the finals is what this country is about."

Seaman also dismissed suggestions that McClaren should pay with his job should England fail to qualify. "That would be ridiculous," he said.

"The stick he has been getting isn't right. Being the national coach is the biggest job in football, but some of the criticism is not called for. Once the players cross the white line, there is little he can do. It's up to the players. They are the ones who have to perform."