'We have got the quality'
Wednesday, 23 June, 2010
England's captain delighted with performance against Slovenia.
Steven Gerrard praised a "terrific " performance from England after they qualified for the last 16 of the World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Slovenia in Port Elizabeth.
The Three Lions finished second in Group C behind the USA and will now face the Group D winners on Sunday afternoon.
Captain Gerrard was delighted with the way Fabio Capello's side responded to a disappointing display against Algeria last Friday and is now looking ahead to a successful campaign in South Africa.
Gerrard said: "I thought the lads were terrific. We got everything we asked for - passion, team spirit, togetherness, fight and quality as well. We thoroughly deserved to win.
"We have done it before when our backs are against the wall but to get to the latter stages we need to do it all the time and find more consistency.
"It was 100 per cent better than the Algeria game. Everyone is smiling in the changing room. There is a relief, the lads have been under an enormous amount of pressure.
"It's all about us now. If we turn up and play close to our potential we are a match for anyone.
"People were doubting us and we rolled our sleeves up and produced the goods.
"If we keep together, keep trying to improve and deliver what the manager is asking, we will be difficult to beat and we have got the quality to win football matches."