Football World Cup 2002: SQUAD HAVE COME SO FAR; McClaren glad to see England improvement.

Byline: CHRIS BASCOMBE In Kobe

THE ROAD to the last 16 of the World Cup didn't begin for England in Saitama a fortnight ago.

It was Rome in November 2000 where the mood began to change, according to England's assistant coach Steve McClaren.

McClaren was appointed jointmanager of the England side with Peter Taylor in the aftermath of Kevin Keegan's resignation.

The duo selected a young squad to face Italy, appointed David Beckham as skipper and put together a blueprint which they hoped would lead to longterm success. By the time Eriksson arrived a few months later, everything was in place.

Of the eleven who played in the Eternal City, only four are likely to still be on duty on Saturday. One of them is Liverpool's Emile Heskey. David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand and Nicky Butt are the other survivors.

But McClaren insists the youth policy has driven the nation towards the kind of success even he never anticipated would come so soon.

``The last 16 of the World Cup seemed a long way away on that night in Rome,'' admitted McClaren.

``I remember going out there with Peter Taylor knowing we had the potential to do well. What's really surprised me is the speed with which it's happened.

``I firmly believe Sven came into a very good situation. He arrived at the right time and inherited a very good young squad with the potential to do extremely well in European and world football.

``Obviously he's brought additional qualities to our game and he's exactly the type of person I felt we needed to lead England. English football is indebted to Sven.

``He's brought to us a knowledge and experience of football in many different countries. The way he's approached the job and the way he's handled this squad of players and got the most out of them is outstanding.

``His appointment was a surprise to most but the FA have been vindicated because it doesn't matter how the job is done, it's results that matter, and Sven's got them.

``Step one was getting to Japan and step two was getting through the group stages, which we have now also achieved.''

Eriksson and Sir Alex Ferguson don't exactly strike you as managers cut from the same cloth, but having worked closely with both,McClaren claims there is a striking similarity in the manner both pursue their goals.

He said: ``Some managers worry, but Sven's attitude is to let the players get on with it. He trusts them and the players respond to that. He sets the requirements, makes sure everyone knows their job and is organised and then trusts them to get on with it.

``I would say that's Sven's biggest quality and it's something Alex Ferguson always used to stress. One of his biggest assets is he believes in his players and I see the same thing in Sven. There is a clear resemblance and it works. You can see that because obviously the results prove he hasn't been let down yet.''

CAPTION(S):

GREAT JOB: Sven-Goran Eriksson has got the results as England boss