By Mandeep Sanghera

McClaren is now focusing on England's Euro 2008 qualifiers

England boss Steve McClaren has blamed the lack of form some of his players are showing on a World Cup hangover.

Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have been two of the high-profile figures who have struggled since England went out to Portugal in the last eight.

"If you look at all the players who played in the World Cup, individually they have all had a hangover," he said.

"They have all had a disappointment and loss of form and do take five or six months before they are back on form."

Liverpool skipper Gerrard and his Chelsea midfield counterpart Lampard have only recently started to show signs of a revival.

Lampard was heavily criticised as he struggled in the early part of the campaign, while Gerrard has admitted he only now feels he is getting back to his best.

I think we've all got the a responsibility and trust and belief in each other that we can be better Steve McClaren

McClaren's side has also struggled as a whole, with England losing to Croatia and drawing 0-0 with Macedonia in their last two Euro 2008 qualifiers.

"The World Cup was a massive disappointment for everybody - the fans, the media and especially the players," added McClaren, speaking at a news conference to promote Nationwide's Cats' Eyes for Kids child road safety scheme.

"To lose for the national team is the biggest disappointment ever and many of the England players after Portugal expressed that.

"Yes, they can lose in the Champions League and for their club but to lose for England is the biggest loss of all and the biggest disappointment.

"There was a huge hangover and possibly a lack of belief and faith from everybody.

Gerrard is one of the players who seem to have suffered a World Cup hangover

"To be brought crashing down to earth from such high expectations takes some time to recover from that."

But the England manager expects the team to turn around their fortunes and reach the finals in Austria and Switzerland as they bid for a trophy at a major finals.

He added: "When their backs are against the wall the English and British players all have the same attitude in that they will fight to the end. That's what we have to do.

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"I have tremendous trust and belief in the players that we will deliver and get back in that arena again.

"I think we've all got a responsibility and trust and belief in each other that we can be better.

"Nobody wants to do that more than myself and the players. We've got to deliver that. We have to stand up and be counted."