Neville: players disappointed in Euro 2004

GARY NEVILLE has admitted England fell short of the players’ own expectations in Euro 2004.

Their campaign ended at the quarter-final stage when finalists Portugal went through on penalties.

Neville said: “Supporters and people back home may well have thought a semi-final place would be par for us and acceptable ... but we were looking to go all the way.

“At the end of the day, we were not quite good enough.”

Neville says there were positives.

“The nucleus of the team will be kept on, with some new players, such as Jermaine Defoe and Shaun Wright-Phillips of City, showing what exciting talents they have.”

On David Beckham’s poor form, Neville said: “His football will always do the talking for him.”

He added: “The final was the first game I watched since England were knocked out, and anyone who criticises Greece is just ignorant, extremely ignorant.”