No need for Becks to inspire players

EMMET MALONEhears from England's James Milner after their 1-0 victory saw them advance to the last 16

ALCOHOL IS rarely far from the media’s thoughts, or lips, at a tournament like this and so after the week the English have had it was no great surprise when a reporter asked Fabio Capello at the end of his post-match press conference yesterday whether the players would be allowed a beer.

“They drank beer last night, ask them,” he replied, thus providing an overdue clarification of the widely ridiculed notion that this England team could be inspired to victory by Becks.

As it happens, the players were quick to make it clear that while the manager had indeed placed temptation in their way, they had wisely held firm.

“We had the option but I don’t think that anyone took it,” explained James Milner, clearly a little surprised by his manager’s openness on the matter.

Capello had earlier shrugged off the suggestion that this win represented “vindication” for him after a weekend during which it became common currency that he would have to resign or be fired in the event that his side failed to secure the three points yesterday that they required to progress.

Milner’s relief at having played an important role in the victory, though, was obvious with the Aston Villa midfielder making no attempt to hide how concerned he had been that his brief run out against the USA prior to being replaced before half-time might be his only contribution to this World Cup campaign.

“Obviously I was very disappointed with the last game,” he said.

“It’s devastating when you’re first game at a World Cup ends in being taken off after a half hour but I’m pleased to have had the second chance today and happy to have been able to contribute something.”

Though the 24-year-old played well throughout, that “something” essentially amounted to the cross that led to Jermain Defoe’s goal, without which the team’s broader improvement would not have counted for too much.

“It was a good finish by JD,” acknowledged Milner, “but we’ve done a lot of work on crosses. There’s been a lot of talk about the ball and goalkeepers but it’s always hard to deal with a ball coming in like that when there’s a striker looking to get on the end of it.”

That sort of work on the training ground these past few days, combined with a renewed sense of determination within the group, he said, had them in confident mood ahead of yesterday’s encounter.

“We were all feeling pretty happy coming into the game and I think it showed. I don’t think it was pressure before.

“As players, you play week in week out for your clubs at a high level and most of the lads are playing the Champions League.

“Obviously, the World Cup’s a very high level too but I don’t think that was the problem. But of course there’s a little bit of anxiety because you want to do well. If anything,” he added. “I’d say it might have been that some of the players were trying a little bit too hard.”

Still, he knows, the confidence of the team’s supporters has been severely dented by the fact that the English team has played really well just once so far in the tournament but Milner reckons it is significant that the team played well in its third game with performances, he suggest, on an upward curve.

“We started slowly and we’re still not where we want to be but I think we’re getting better and better.

“I think that’s better than starting well and then going out. I think we’ve done well as a group today and the longer we stay in the tournament, the more it will come together for us.”