Despite harsh words, both in public and private, over the need for his team to start matching their lofty expectations, Saturday's Euro 2008 qualifier against Israel in Tel Aviv just proved to be another massive let-down.

Although they dominated for long periods, England were unable to find the killer touch and eventually had to settle for a goalless draw that did little to convince anyone - least of all the travelling fans - that qualification for Euro 2008 will be assured in the autumn.

Yet McClaren, who knows anything other than victory over Group E whipping boys Andorra in Barcelona on Wednesday will bring calls for his immediate dismissal, retains enough faith in his players to feel confident he will lead them to Austria and Switzerland next summer.

"We have to believe in ourselves," he said.

"The ultimate goal is qualification. How we get there doesn't matter.

"There is still a hell of a long way to go. If we had not got in the box, created chances or had shots, then I would be worried.

"We know we should have won on Saturday but all we can do is get on with the job."

It is believed more harsh words were exchanged in the visitors' dressing room at the Ramat Gan Stadium.

Reports of a bust-up between McClaren and Wayne Rooney hardly suggest everything in the England camp is harmonious just now.

However, if McClaren is irritated by Rooney's contribution, he has a point given the Manchester United man has not scored a competitive goal for his country since June 2004.

The current run of four barren games out of the last five represents England's worst run since 1981 and Rooney must share some responsibility for that record, even though he was actually the last man to find the net for his country; in November's friendly draw with Holland.

If that sorry collective record does not end in the stadium where Linford Christie won his Olympic gold medal in 1988, McClaren really will have to start running for the hills.

Speculation is bound to surface over his team selection, with Frank Lampard's position now the subject of sustained external debate.

The Chelsea man was a limited force against the Israeli's and, with Owen Hargreaves back, Lampard's presence shunts Steven Gerrard out to the right wing and Aaron Lennon onto the left, positions neither player are entirely comfortable with.

McClaren has so far refused to consider dropping Lampard because of his phenomenal club form.

But, mindful of the criticism his predecessor Sven-Goran Eriksson received for effectively turning former captain David Beckham into an untouchable, McClaren emphasised his belief no-one is beyond being dumped.

"Yes," he said, when asked if he would be willing to drop one of his big players.

"People must produce. They must perform. They know that.

"But it is too early to say what the team against Andorra is going to be.

"People are just reacting at the moment. I have to reflect and look in the players' eyes. I have to make sure they come back."

Lampard is as puzzled as anyone at England's lack of potency given the proven goal power in the side.

He said: "We have to take it as a group problem. We try to contribute from everywhere. I try to contribute. We are in that patch where it is not coming for us at the moment.

"There is only thing you can do about that. It is not moan about it, not point fingers at anyone, just work hard to get out of this run.

"It is a disappointing record when you look at the players in the team, one goal in five games, but that's the way it is. We have to put it right.

Defender Phil Neville revealed the England coach spelt out the need for a vast improvement after the goalless draw with Israel in Tel Aviv.

England have paid the penalty for failing to score in their last three qualifiers - which have yielded only two points - to leave them five points adrift of group leaders Croatia.

Israel made it hard for England to break them down by often putting 10 men behind the ball after the opening quarter of an hour and Andorra are likely to adopt a similar approach.

Neville said: "It was a better performance in Israel than in some recent games but the result was still disappointing.

"We did everything but score a goal. We didn't take our chances when they came and at this level you have to do that.

"We wanted six points from the two games this week and now we can only get four and we're all disappointed.

"Israel just got men behind the ball, played really deep and didn't show any kind of ambition to win the game after the first 10 to 15 minutes.

"It really was there for us to go on and win the game but we couldn't do that."

Neville added: "Andorra is now a must-win game and one we've got to score a few goals in. No question about it, they're going to get behind the ball again like Israel and we're going to have to be better in the final third.

"We need to show a lot more invention and creativity to break down another stubborn team. The manager spelt that out in the dressing room on Saturday.

"That is something we need to improve on. When you look at our six players in the top half of the pitch, they've all got goals in them and they score regularly for their clubs.

"But in the last five games it's not been happening for them and it's something we've got to sort out."

England now look likely to have to battle it out with Russia for second spot in the group with the two set to face each other in the autumn.

Neville said: "Is it tough to qualify now? We never seem to qualify the easy way. We're going to have win a lot of games between now and the end of the group stages to qualify.

"But it's still within our capabilities. We've just got to stick together as a team and keep going."

Despite England's current misfortunes, Neville admits he still gets a buzz out of playing for England, although his place could come under threat from Micah Richards against Andorra.

He said: "I still enjoy it. It's the pinnacle of anyone's career. They are big games and everyone enjoys playing in the big games.

"The problem for us at the moment it that we're just not taking our chances. We need a couple of wins to get the confidence back. At the moment we're not gelling as we'd like."