England ready to play waiting game against Estonia

TALLINN, June 6 (Reuters) Steve McClaren has told his England side to be patient in their Euro 2008 qualifier against underdogs Estonia today.

England are languishing in fourth place in Group E and are desperate to beat a side who have yet to score a point or a goal in qualifying games for next year's finals.

McClaren, whose team were booed by their own supporters at halftime in a laboured win over Andorra in March, told a news conference yesterday: ''Patience is the key word.

''I'll be stressing that to the players and I will stress that to the fans,'' he said.

''It might not happen in the first 10-15 minutes. We might have to wait.

''We're here to win. It's important that we win, but Estonia, despite the results, despite not scoring, ask Croatia, ask Russia, ask anybody whose played against them -- it's been a tough game.'' Russia were late 2-0 winners over Estonia in St Petersburg, while group leaders Croatia managed only a 1-0 victory here on Saturday.

''It took 76 minutes before Russia got their opening goal and Croatia on Saturday - I was here watching the game -- had about two shots at goal and scored with one,'' McClaren said.

''And Estonia were very close to scoring that first goal they're looking for.

''We know what we've got to do, we've got respect for them. But it's all about us.'' Croatia are top of the group on 16 points, followed by both Israel, who have played a game more, and Russia on 14 and England on 11.

Despite that situation and the media criticism of recent months, McClaren would not be drawn about his future if his men failed to win.

''I understand the question, I understand why people would be asking it,'' he said.

But he added: ''We're not even contemplating that, we're here to win a football match.'' Captain John Terry also believes England may need to bide their time, saying: ''It would be great if we can get early goal and they have to come out.

''But it's important for us defensively as well that we don't go slinging loads of men forward and maybe there's a chance they could catch us on the counter.'' REUTERS TB PM1002