Beckham accepted the Three Lions squad had received deserved criticism following the 4-1 loss in Copenhagen leading up to the vital Millennium Stadium clash.

But following victory over Wales, secured via Joe Cole's second-half strike, the Real Madrid midfielder says confidence has now been restored.

"We set out to win, get the three points and put in a better performance than in Denmark and I think we got all of that against Wales," Beckham explained.

"I think some people would have liked to see some more goals to prove the Denmark game was out of our system, but the most important thing was to get the win.

"Maybe there was a little bit too much talked about the Denmark defeat. It was only a friendly, but it wasn't a great performance and rightly so there was criticism.

"But that is totally out of our system now. We had to get our confidence back and I think we have done that with the win over Wales."

Beckham took up the challenge of playing in a deeper-lying midfield role in Cardiff, sitting just in front of the defence while Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard occupied the central areas.

The skipper was pleased with the way the new-look system worked, but admitted the return of Michael Owen from suspension would give Sven a tough decision on whether or not to return to the more traditional 4-4-2 line-up.

"I think there was a lot of talk about systems before the game. Of course the system is important, but the most important thing is that the players perform and I think we had that in Wales," Beckham explained.

"We worked hard, I think we kept the ball well and that is the ability we have. I enjoyed the role because I am on the ball all the time and I'm always free. It gives me the chance to pick players out.

"But I'm not bothered where I play, whatever position I am told I will be there. I have never hidden my feelings about playing in the centre, but I also enjoy playing out on the right. Some people think I am better there, but others think I'm not that bad in the middle. I really don't care where I am as long as I am playing.

"I'm not sure what will happen in the next game, but we've got Michael Owen available again and he will be on a high from signing for Newcastle and anybody would welcome a player like him back in the squad."