With 3-0 wins over Israel and Russian the Three Lions are now up to second place in Euro 2008 Qualifying Group E and masters of their own fate. And after so long of England being absolute dump, it's a strange feeling for them to look so very very good. So let's not do the usual English trick of getting carried away and predicting inevitable tournament success. But I think everyone owes Steve McClaren an apology.

Many many people (myself included obviously) have mocked the poor fella, especially after the defeat in Croatia and the draw in Israel. But now we have to take it all back and show the guy a little bit of respect.

Sure injuries forced his hand, but how many of us would have recalled Emile Heskey or started Gareth Barry ahead of Michael Carrick? So maybe Second Choice Steve, as he's become known, actually knows what he's doing...

The next will be the big decisions he has to make when Frank Lampard, Owen Hargreaves, wayne rooney and David Beckham are back. Surely the Gerrard-Barry partnership in central midfield, and Shaun Wright-Phillips' performances on the right wing were enough for all three to keep their places for the next two games.