No doubt Eriksson was given stick because he was a foreigner, chauvinism on the papers part, yes of course. But he proved over the years that he didn't have any idea how his players tick. So his lack of knowledge for the English mentality was always going to bring detractors. Basically, Eriksson was a joker. He cared more about getting into the pants of the next floozy or doing a dodgy deal than taking his job seriously. A simplistic way of looking at his English managerial career, but true. The newspapers had every right to criticize him in my view, he wasn't doing a good job. Apart from the private life, the majority of England matches left a bitter taste in the mouth, that shouldn't be the case.
In McClaren's relatively short spell as manager he has shown all the traits that Eriksson displayed when it come to tactics, formations, substitutions etc. We finally got rid of Sven (still earning millions off the F.A), only to move in an unwanted replacement who looks like a carbon copy when it comes to common sense, or lack of. We needed someone who has balls and can make tough decisions when needed. The only Englishman who would be capable of that was Allardyce, who wanted the job but was shunned in favour of an easy option.
McClaren wanted to show independence by dropping Beckham, but that wasn't a tough decision, it was a cop out and scape goat for a bad World Cup. If McClaren really wanted to move the team forward, he would never have played Phil Neville at left back yesterday!
I agree with what you're saying about the players Stan, they have just as much responsibility. Most a highly overrated, which is quite evident when they report for national duty. Some need to seriously question their places in the team. It shouldn't have taken Joey Barton to do that for them!