Time for England to
deliver, says Beckham
Trevor Huggins
England need to stop talking about winning tournaments and start delivering the goods, according to captain David Beckham.
Beckham made his call on Thursday as England prepared for their opening qualifier for the 2004 European championships, a Group 7 clash against Slovakia in Bratislava on Saturday.
"In the past, we've said we can win competitions but never have done," he told a news conference. "I think it's time now. We can't keep talking about it, we've got to go out and do it -- and it starts on Saturday.
The Manchester United midfielder, who said he is fully fit after a slight calf strain, did not want to dwell on this year's World Cup finals, when England were knocked out by Brazil in the quarter-finals.
"We've not said one word about the World Cup," said the midfielder. "We were all disappointed because with the way we were playing it was a great chance for us, a missed chance.
"But we have to forget that now. It's in the past. We've got big games coming up and a big competition."
However, Beckham is also aware that England supporters are expecting more than just qualification for Euro 2004 in Portugal and then having a respectable run at the finals.
FANS EXCITEMENT
"It would be nice to give the fans a little bit more than reaching the quarter-final, getting excited and then having the down period," he said. "It would be nice to reach the final and win something.
"I really believed that we were good enough to go all the way in the World Cup. That's the belief I have in the players in the squad. You've got to have that belief in teams you play in."
Beckham made it clear his team mates would not be underestimating a side beaten 3-0 last month by England's main rivals for the automatic qualification place, Turkey.
"People might not think it's a difficult game but it will be," he said. "We're not taking this team for granted at all ... When we come away, we know these are hard games."
Slovakia are pinning their hopes on striker Szilard Nemeth, currently on fine form at club level with Middlesbrough in the English premier league.
"He's doing well for Middlesbrough, he's scoring goals, so he's obviously a player we're well aware of," said Beckham.
England follow Saturday's opener with their second qualifier against Macedonia at Southampton. Along with the Turks, England's group also includes Liechtenstein.
