• Euro 2012

Becks: England will shine with pressure off

ESPN staff
May 18, 2012
David Beckham has hailed the appointment of Gary Neville as an England coach © Getty Images
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David Beckham feels that the low level of public expectation will work in England's favour at Euro 2012.

Beckham has been used to playing in international tournaments in which England, and the so-called 'Golden Generation' of players, were considered one of the leading candidates for victory.

That is not currently the case as Roy Hodgson prepares to take his 23-man party to Poland and Ukraine, with Wayne Rooney suspended for the first two games and several members of the squad having come up short at international level in the past.

And Beckham feels that Hodgson's men will benefit from not being widely tipped to win the tournament.

"Let's hope we go out there and we're successful," he said. "It's a new team, young players. It's one of the first times we have gone into a big competition without huge, huge expectation on our shoulders - that could maybe be a good thing for the team."

Meanwhile, Beckham has hailed Hodgson's decision to appoint former Manchester United defender Gary Neville as a coach. "I think it's great. Gary has knowledge throughout the game," Beckham said. "He's been in big tournaments, he's played for England for many years.

"Gary has always been very vocal about many things. He's had the experience of being through tournaments and being disappointed in tournaments and knowing what he thinks have been the problems - that's why it's a clever move and great for the team."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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