Thinking they are a good side.
THE ROAD TO DISAPPOINTMENT
Thinking they are a good side.
"I don't think England has to fear any country because we have great players
ourselves," he declared.
ourselves," he declared.
"I don't think you should throw the term 'world-class' around lightly but we have players who would grace any other team and who other teams would love to
have in their side.
have in their side.
"There are four or five who would get into any other team, and I include France in that. Sol Campbell, Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Michael Owen are genuine European class.
"Even Wayne Rooney at a young age could be included. He's an unknown
quantity at these finals."
And throw in talent like David James and Emile Heskey and they are on Easy
Street.
Street.
On a more realistic note he goes on:
"But it gives us a great chance to measure ourselves early on in the tournament as we're playing the favourites. If we were to win that match, the confidence we would take out of it would be incredible.
"Whatever happens though, we'll know where we are in terms of where our
performance levels are and where we have to get to if we want to win the
championship.
"I think it's a good game for us, we're better off playing them first than last in the group and finding out where we are at.
"It's not the be-all and end-all, the first game, but it would be great to get some points on the board. The real pressure comes in the second and third games,
where we're expected to win and have to win."