It may have been abject long-ball with England, but Twente were under instructions to pass the ball about on the ground. The national team might have crumbled against Croatia, but this lot fought back twice against a superior side, almost snatching a draw at the death. At the time of writing, McClaren, the laughing stock of England, was just two points off the summit of Dutch football.
Of course, it's too early to start talking about title challenges or even European qualification, which would be quite a feat considering that his key players were sold off before his arrival. However, just seeing him in charge of such a fluid, impressive team should give us all hope, in whatever walk of life we tread. However bad you think it is on those long sleepless nights that must follow an own-goal, a red card or a feature at the wrong end of the Sunday tabloids, just remember. McClaren had it worse and he's alright now. Sleep tight.
Iain Macintosh is the UK Football Correspondent for The New Paper in Singapore and the author of 'Football Fables' available from all good bookshops.
