So far, so good for McClaren's England

MANCHESTER, England, Sep 3 (Reuters) England have extended Steve McClaren's honeymoon period as manager by trouncing Andorra before Wednesday's trickier Euro 2008 qualifier against Macedonia.

Though yesterday's win was expected, the performance and 5-0 scoreline dispelled any fears that England might labour to put more than a couple of goals past a team of amateurs from the Pyrenees.

Less than three weeks after the McClaren era began with a 4-0 friendly win over European champions Greece, England are already looking in better shape than under his predecessor Sven-Goran Eriksson.

The key has been McClaren's bold decision to axe the once untouchable David Beckham from the England set-up.

Eriksson's former assistant has dismantled the unconvincing central midfield partnership of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, moving the latter to Beckham's position on the right flank.

At a stroke, England have more penetration down the wing -- with Gerrard scoring one and making another from that position yesterday -- and can now demand more from Lampard.

Freed of the constant need to know whether Gerrard was covering his runs forward, Lampard has a free rein to attack, knowing there is a full-time sitting midfielder behind him.

Owen Hargreaves has been impressive in that role, as he was during England's World Cup quarter-final exit against Portugal, and should finally become a first-team regular.

McCLAREN'S FAITH Up front, McClaren's faith in striker Jermain Defoe has made Eriksson's decision to ignore him for the World Cup in favour of untried teenager Theo Walcott seem even more bizarre.

That faith was repaid with Defoe's promising display against Greece, two well-taken goals against Andorra and a run along the edge of the box on Saturday which led to Peter Crouch's fifth-minute opener.

Defoe and Crouch, who also scored twice against Andorra, should be good for more goals in Macedonia, where they will again lead the line in the absence of suspended Wayne Rooney and long-term injured Michael Owen.

Though pleased enough with the five goals scored yesterday, McClaren said: ''We could have had more and I hope we're saving a couple in the locker for Wednesday.'' England will be in for a tougher time in their next game, having only managed to win 2-1 there three years ago to the day in a Euro 2004 qualifier.

''It will be a lot more difficult,'' McClaren said. ''I know Macedonia well ... they move the ball very well and they'll cause us problems.

''But it's all about us ... it's a challenge and a big test for the players.'' Bigger challenges are ahead against Croatia and Russia in a Group E that also features Israel and Estonia. For the moment, though, McClaren's England honeymoon looks set to continue.

REUTERS PM KN1617