Terry bullish as woes mount for McClaren

By Ben James Mar 26, 2007, 11:00 GMT

London - England captain John Terry has vowed England will maintain a positive outlook despite the problems that have beset their qualifying campaign for Euro 2008.

England managed only a goalless draw in Israel on Saturday, and lie third in their qualifying group, five points behind Croatia and three behind Russia. The top two qualify for next summer's finals.

Manager Steve McClaren's problems increased Monday as it emerged that he had been involved in dressing-room row with forward Wayne Rooney after Saturday's draw.

The Daily Mail and the Daily Mirror suggested McClaren had attacked Rooney over a substandard performance, to which the Manchester United player replied he was not the only one in the team who should score goals, throwing his kit and boots against the wall.

England should win Wednesday's Group E fixture in Andorra comfortably, but they will know that any slip-up will be pounced upon by McClaren's growing army of critics.

The game has been compared to the World Cup qualifier in San Marino in 1993, when England fell behind after seven seconds.

That goal is still the iconic moment of Graham Taylor's hapless reign, even though his side came back to win 7-1.

Terry, though, is determinedly positive, insisting England can overhaul the deficit. 'We are where we are in the table and if we don't start winning, we are not going to qualify,' Terry said.

'But that's not even worth thinking about. We are not going to start thinking 'we are not going to qualify'.

'That's no way to start thinking, no way to have the atmosphere in and around the squad, and I won't let that happen.'

He admitted, though, there was disappointment after Saturday's performance. 'We were flat after the result,' he said.

'We will try to take the positives from Saturday. We will look at the game again and try to take as many positives as we can - if there are any.

'We have to absorb and reflect on what happened. We are trying to pinpoint why things aren't happening.

'Wednesday's game is vital and it's about three points, simple as that. It is not about how many can we score and how many can we beat them by.

'It's about picking up three points and that's the message.'

Ashley Cole is available again after suspension and should take over at left-back.