Embattled England manager Steve McClaren got full backing of players and the Football Association (FA) amidst a tirade from British media for not giving the desired results since he took over from Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson after the World Cup in Germany last year.

In his eight matches in charge so far, McClaren, who was the assistant manager at the World Cup, has won 3, drawn 3 and lost 2, with England finding themselves in danger of missing out on Euro 2008 finals berth, following a winless streak of five matches in which they have just scored one goal.

Ahead of Three Lions’ Euro 2008 qualifier against tiny principality Andorra at Barcelona’s Olympic stadium on Wednesday, vice-captain Steven Gerrard told a news conference: "I think the players have got to take a lot of responsibility for the manager taking it in the neck.

"It's us who are going out there and under-performing, under-achieving if you like.

"We do feel partly responsible for the criticism he's taking and it's down to myself and the other boys to stand up and try and take some heat off him and turn these results around.

"We definitely believe in him. Definitely. All the players are behind him. He's preparing us right, he's coaching us right. He's telling us the right things. It's us players who are not getting results for him and the fans.

"This game is all about results and our results haven't been acceptable of late. So we take the criticism on the chin and move on."

Captain John Terry said: "We've underperformed a little bit in the last few games - but as a group we are fully behind the manager.

"It's not nice what we are hearing, but he is the right man for the job, 100 per cent. Tomorrow is a must-win game and as a bunch we feel we owe it to the manager.

"We are all in it together. It's us against everybody and we need to stand up and be counted."

The FA International Committee also dismissed reports that they had summoned McClaren to explain England’s poor results.

FA International Committee chairman Noel White and vice-chairman Sir David Richards said in a statement, "It is very disappointing to see reports that we have, or will, 'summon' Steve McClaren to explain himself to the International Committee when we return to England."

"At a time when we are giving our full support to Steve and the England team ahead of the game with Andorra, these stories are very unhelpful."

However, as per the routine procedure where a England manager has to attend a meeting of the International Committee, McClaren will have to be present next month.

"As the senior members of the committee, we can confirm that Steve, as normal, will attend the next international committee meeting as he and every England manager always has," the statement said.

"There is nothing out of the ordinary with this. It is routine.

"We have been with the squad throughout the past week and it is obvious to us just how hard Steve and his coaching staff are working to get results.

"We would once again like to offer our full support to Steve and all the team."