United England can top group, says Beckham

CAPTAIN David Beckham declared the England squad are united behind Sven-Goran Eriksson and still believe they can top their Euro 2004 qualifying group.

Beckham acknowledges England have under-performed since the World Cup and accepts they can afford "no more slip-ups" in their remaining qualifying games after drawing at home to Macedonia last October.

He warned England fans not to expect the part-timers of Liechtenstein to be thrashed in Saturday's Euro 2004 qualifier and gave his unequivocal backing to Eriksson.

The England coach has come under increasing criticism since the World Cup, especially with one defeat and two draws in the four games since then.

Beckham nevertheless insisted: "He's recently had quite a bit of unnecessary stick from certain people. But he's had it before; he's an experienced manager and he's a very good coach.

"The players respect him, and that's the important thing. When players don't respect a manager then it's no good any more. But he's a great manager, and we all stick by him."

Beckham also insisted he will not be distracted in his preparation for Saturday's game in Liechtenstein either by the recent speculation over his Old Trafford future or by security concerns surrounding the game.

The Manchester United midfielder has been linked with potential interest from Inter Milan and Real Madrid over recent weeks.

But he maintained: "There are always going to be certain rumours flying about, and I'm used to that now. I'm just enjoying being involved in a title race that is hotting up, with three teams in the running.

"I just get on with my football and don't worry about anything else going on or being said around me."

Asked specifically about Champions League quarter-final opponents Real by a Spanish reporter, he added: "I've always said that Real Madrid have got some great players and great traditions.

"Any player would be honoured to be spoken about by them. So of course, I'm honoured."

Beckham's mind is focused on the two Euro qualifiers and ensuring that England raise their game from the draw against Macedonia and the defeat by Australia.

"We haven't been performing as well as we can and we know that if we are going to qualify we're going to have to perform a lot better. "We can't afford to draw any more games or have any more slip-ups.

"Some people might say that the Turkey game next Wednesday is the big one - but the big one is the first one. We'll be in a stadium holding less than 4,000 people, and they will definitely be up for it."

Beckham still does not see the need, as captain, to issue any sort of rallying call to his team-mates for Saturday's game.

"If I felt that the team needed a lift I would do that. But we've got a lot of young, talented players and confidence has not been knocked as much as some people might think," he said.

Beckham will not allow himself to be affected by the security concerns, which were answered by the Liechtenstein FA only on Sunday, after a rethink because of the ongoing conflict in Iraq.

"Of course, at times it does cross your mind," he said.

"Because I'm a family man, it does worry me in that sense. But I've got to be professional about it," said Beckham.

"I'm England captain, and players look up to you. So it's important for me not to worry about anything going on around us.

All of Eriksson's 25-man squad, apart from the Arsenal and Chelsea players involved in last night's FA Cup quarter-final replay at Stamford Bridge, are understood to have come through yesterday's opening England training session.