ENGLAND'S EURO 2004 COUNTDOWN
The good news for England is that David Beckham is relaxed, enjoying his football and feeling confident. Despite his sending off in Real Madrid's fixture at Murcia, and recent media intrusion into his private life, Becks insists there's no need to worry about his state of mind and assures England fans: "I am totally in control."
Despite all the personal and professional pressure he must have been under over the last few months, much of which was created by over-the-top press coverage of events off the field not on it, the England skipper remains unfazed and totally focussed on the task at hand - leading his country to European Championship success.
"People have been saying that the red mist is back, but these things happen in football," said Becks in reference to the dismissal against Murcia. "Sometimes you are so frustrated, so tense in games and that is what happens. Real haven't played our best football in the latter stages of the season.
"People have said that it has been a disappointing season for me because we haven't won anything, but I have enjoyed it. From the first game onwards at Real I had to prove to people that I could play football as well as sell shirts. I believe I have done that.
"Now I haven't played for a week and feel fresh going into this tournament," added Becks who insisted that, despite being the victim of such adverse and unwarranted publicity in recent months, he would still be co-operating with the media - for the sake of the England fans.
Mind you, he was in no-nonsense mood as he declared: "I've made it clear to two papers that the way I and my family have been treated is an absolute disgrace because at the end of the day, I'm a nice person and loving husband and father. I realise as England captain I have an obligation to talk to the fans and that's why I do it.
"But that's much as I want to say on that matter and from now on all I want to do is talk about football."
When Sven-Goran Eriksson took over as England boss, this tournament was pencilled in as one that could potentially bring a trophy back to these shores. And the England skipper admitted that expectations were always high around the camp.
"There will always be a sense of failure if we don't win the thing," he added. "The expectation with the manager, the players, the fans and the country is very high - and rightly so. We have a great team and a great bunch of players. If we don't go as far as at least the semi-finals, we will feel we have failed. Our own expectations are as high as anyone else's.
"I still have ambitions and one of my goals is to win something with England. Hopefully that will be this summer and I will keep trying until we do it."
Beckham also paid tribute to his midfield colleagues and claimed that the team is far fresher than when they went into the World Cup two years ago.
"We died in the second half against the likes of Denmark and it was the same against Brazil," he admitted. "But it was hot out in the Far East and it won't be as bad in Portugal.
"We have great players like Steven Gerrard, who have carried Liverpool to the position they are. If he performs like that in this competition, he can be one of the best players in the tournament. He has had an amazing season. The strength and power he has shown has been great. We need players like that, but he hasn't surprised me because I know the ability he has.
"Frank Lampard has also had his best season. The goals he has scored in big games are a credit to him. He has changed his life."
Becks also paid a glowing tribute to his former Manchester United teammate Nicky Butt who, whilst unable to hold down a regular place in his club side, has a big role to play in Portugal - as England's midfield enforcer.
Beckham said: "You always need players like Nicky Butt in your team. France have Patrick Vieira and Claude Makelele, and you need someone who can win the ball in midfield. Nicky Butt is definitely that player. It's down to the manager whom he picks, but you always need a Nicky Butt in your team."
Like his skipper, the head coach is also relaxed about his team's preparations for the tournament, believing they are in much better shape now than they were ahead of the 2002 World Cup.
"If you compare now with how it was before the World Cup, this time it's much better. Saying that, you know how football is and things can happen," he said. "But right now we don't have any major problems. Most of the players got one week off before we started this preparation, which they didn't have before the World Cup.
"I think that has, mentally and physically, done them very good. That's why I didn't want Beckham, Hargreaves and the Manchester United players to start training again too early.
"I feel much better as, just days before we met up for the World Cup, we had Gary Neville and Steven Gerrard ruled out. That gives you a knock. This time, we knew for a long time that Rio Ferdinand, Jonathan Woodgate and Gareth Southgate couldn't play.. So I'm more confident today than I was two years ago."
