McClaren aims for 'Club England'
England boss Steve McClaren wants his players to put their domestic rivalries to one side as he bids to create a club mood within the national team.
\"What I'm trying to create with England is a club atmosphere, a 'Club England' and a team ethic,\" he said ahead of the Euro 2008 qualifier against Andorra.
\"The players have two agendas. At club level they are battling for a place, the Premiership or the European Cup.
\"But with England, it is England and everybody is one with the shirt.\"
The England players decided to go to a comedy show when given the night off during the build up for Saturday's game.
But McClaren insists positive results will have the greatest effect in his bonding target as he tries to stamp his mark on the squad after taking over from Sven-Goran Eriksson.
\"Ultimately we need to play as a team,\" said the former Middlesbrough manager. \"It's a team game and ethic we are trying to develop and we need to see that.
\"It's a different start for the players. A new era and a blank sheet of paper.
\"The type of culture and ethic we are trying to introduce is one of a team culture. That is what they are used to at the club's and one they should be used to that with England.
\"We are just trying to foster and develop that by certain communication things.
\"It's a clarity of message that we are trying to get across. 'This is your job, this is what you must do now go out and do that job'.
\"Preparation is key to that and attention to detail. They get that at their clubs and should get that at international level.\"
McClaren's first game in charge saw his side demolish Greece in a friendly in August and now he wants his players to improve on that showing.
\"Against Andorra we are looking for the outcome of a performance to carry on from Greece,\" he said.
\"Against Greece we went a rung up the ladder and we need to do it again. We need to become a great team.
\"We are not that at the moment and we need to performances that get us that recognition.
\"It's a different type of game against Andorra. We are looking for a performance - to defend well and to be hard to beat and play good football.\"
