Time for McClaren to make some bold decisions - starting with his choice of captain

Jul 4 2006 By Mark Lawrenson, Daily Post

STEVE McCLAREN needs to make some bold decisions to stamp his mark as the new England manager.

The successor to Sven-Goran Eriksson has found himself in a tricky position at the World Cup.

No matter how friendly the pair are, the situation would put a strain on any working relationship.

And people will be wondering how involved the former Middlesbrough manager was in the decision-making process that led to England's disappointing level of performances against a number of sides - Trinidad and Tobago, Paraguay, Sweden, Ecuador and in all honesty, even Portugal - who should have been despatched far more comfortably.

England supporters will be wondering whether they are just getting a clone of Sven, or a manager who will be his own man and get more out of a talented bunch of players.

He has to make two or three bold choices about the way England are going to play - and the first could be to unleash Steven Gerrard on the right hand side of midfield.

David Beckham has been reduced to a role similar to the American football players who come on the field of play just to take the kicks.

Gerrard is all action, gets up and down the flanks, can take on defenders, get shots in on goal and is very hard to play against. England must make the best of him, just as Liverpool do.

McClaren must also choose his new captain and while the inspirational Gerrard has obvious claims to the job, I would go for John Terry. He is a very good organiser and talker and he plays the game facing his side so he can see how the play is developing.

There is no better time to take over the England job.

While there are some worrying areas in the longer term, England have the nucleus of a good side and an easy qualification group offers a quick route to a major tournament in Euro 2008.

• Mark Lawrenson was talking to RICHARD WILLIAMSON