Steve McClaren hailed the character of England's players
following the 3-0 win over Andorra but admitted he could understand
fans' continued frustration.
The team were booed from the pitch after a goalless first half and
some supporters chanted for the manager's head.
However a more dominant second half from the visitors saw Steven
Gerrard score twice and David Nugent also net on his international
debut and McClaren insisted his team did achieve their primary
objective.
"We came here to win a football match and we've won it," McClaren
told Sky Sports 1.
"We scored three goals, in the end it was comfortable and we've
collected four points [from Israel and Andorra]. We wanted six, but
we've got four.
"I thought the first half was difficult, the conditions and they
had 11 players behind the ball and you could see we lacked a bit of
confidence in our passing.
"But at half-time we said you've got to show real guts,
real character because of the conditions on and off the field and
they dealt with it.
"And you talk about people stepping forward, Stevie Gerrard he
really did that tonight.
"I'm proud of all the players for the way they reacted, the way
they won it."
McClaren accepts the performance and result may not please
everyone.
"That's football, you can never please everybody. Yes, they were a
little bit low on confidence, but they kept going and eventually
got their rewards.
Asked about the fans' reaction, he added: "I can understand it, but
we came here to win and we've done it. We're still in a
very good position, it's still in our hands. I'd ask the
fans to stick with the players, the players want to do it for the
fans. At times it's difficult but they came through
tonight." -- o9
Steve McClown thinks England is in a very good position. England
despite winning 3-0 has dropped by one place. 4th place, you say
you are in a very good position, how about being in the top and 2nd
place ? What do you call that ? McClown ? Do you need new
spectacles ? Can you count ? (look at the points and goal
differences) Do you think Croatia and Russia are walkover teams ?
You are obviously talking nonsense and at the same time making
England the world biggest laughing stock. Do you know just 3-0
against Andorra (no disrespect ) is a very very poor win ? You talk
as if we just beaten an Italian or Brazil side 3-0. Wake up your
f***ing idea , McClown. Even the manager has also said that they
thought they could get something out of the game, only Gerrard and
Lennon threatened to run riots, the rest were inept.
The boos England gets are well deserved, those players that backed
McClown should shut their mouths up. Who are they to speak when
their team are not performing and delivering the results. The
England fans have every right to boo them whether they like it or
not. For them to pay $$ to travel to see them giving such inept and
mediocre performance is absolutely unacceptable. Do you really
think FA is backing you up? I am sure they are considering their
next move. With you in charge, McClown. I can see you losing your
job before you know it.
McClown is the same mould as Alan Clasrubbish (West Ham
manager.)
