Brazilian blend in need of shake up to win in Estonia

It is not just in Tallinn on Wednesday that England need to win but probably in the five European Championship qualifiers that follow.

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Weekend victories for Croatia, Russia and Israel have left McClaren's side in an alarmingly precarious position in Group E.

They are five points adrift of Croatia and three behind Russia and Israel, who have played one more game, making the trip to Moscow in October look like the decisive match of England's group.

McClaren is, of course, only thinking short-term — not least because what will remain of a so far disastrous qualifying campaign will be someone else's responsibility if he fails to win this week. Judging by how hard Croatia had to work for their 1-0 victory, it is prudent to think this way.

Friday's performance against Brazil offered encouragement and restored much-needed confidence but McClaren regarded it only as a small step' forward and for that reason there can be no complacency. Least of all from McClaren himself.

Changes need to be made to a side who impressed without inspiring atWembley and have, let us not forget, won only one of their last seven matches.

That solitary triumph came against Andorra, after a first half that should have been enough to convince a coach who was vilified by supporters that night that his team needed a shake-up.

David Beckham might deserve another cap before moving to the inappropriately named world of Major League Soccer but there are others who should not be joining him when he makes his 96th appearance for his country.

McClaren hinted that a disappointing performance from Alan Smith against Brazil could convince him to recall Peter Crouch. Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Nicky Shorey must consider themselves fortunate if they start against Estonia.

Shorey did little wrong on his debut but he should stand aside for Wayne Bridge now that the Chelsea defender is fit and able to offer more of an attacking threat from fullback.

Cole might survive but his showboating on Friday incensed McClaren and made him look ludicrous in the company of Ronaldinho and Kaka.

Clearly lacking sharpness as well as fitness at the end of an injury-troubled season, there is certainly a case for dropping Cole and bringing in Kieron Dyer or Stewart Downing.

Lampard was poor by his own standards against Brazil, especially when it came to the accuracy of his passing and his general attacking play, and there could be a case for calling on Michael Carrick.

After another demanding season at Stamford Bridge, Lampard looks tired — and tired legs are the last thing McClaren needs against a dogged if distinctly ordinary Estonia side.

The coach acknowledged as much.

"Estonia might not have scored a goal in the group yet but what we've got to do is remember it's not about them but about us," he said. "It is dangerous to think it will be easy. All internationals are the same.

"As I said before the game, the team for Brazil wasn't necessarily the team to play Estonia but we wanted to look at certain things. I've looked and we'll digest it, but it may be different on Wednesday."

That was a response to a question concerning Smith and Crouch and there was enough from McClaren to suggest Shorey will indeed be demoted to the bench.

"We realised that Brazil are a massive threat on the counterattack in that they have four players with pace," he said. "We had to be a bit conservative with our full-backs for that reason but we will have a different game plan for Wednesday."

McClaren will be encouraged by John Terry's recovery from the hamstring problem that troubled him on Friday night because he will need a captain who is prepared to lead from the front.

"It's about taking small steps," said McClaren. "We're in the position we're in and we have to perform because of the reception we got in Israel and Andorra. We know that and we know we've got a lot to prove.

"We've talked about the amount of challenges and tackles we need to make, about responsibility and discipline, individually and collectively. We've emphasised that, because when we've got that we're a team.

"We talked about that after Andorra and Israel. I talked about it after the first few months in the job. We've got great individuals, but we have to play as a team."

Does he feel under pressure?

No,' he said. I've never really felt that. I have great belief in these players. I've watched them and worked with them. And when they come together and play as a team they're a very, very good team.'

After giving his squad the weekend off, McClaren met up with them in Manchester last night and they travel to Estonia tomorrow. By which time his employers at the FA no doubt hope he will have the right team in mind.