Eriksson believes there is no time to look back on Sunday's disappointing result against France and wants to quickly move thoughts forward to the second match in Group B - where England are determined to pick up their first points of the tournament.

He has asked senior players in the squad, including Captain David Beckham, to ensure the mood in the camp is buoyant and that younger players do not get swept up in the frustration and disappointment that followed defeat against France

Eriksson said: "The Captain and the senior players have to be very strong mentally and we will all work together.

"We are having a meeting today and I will talk to the players then. But I won't have much to say because life goes on. If we go on performaning like we did yesterday, I think it' s going to be very difficult to beat us.

"Everybody who saw the game, every other manager, will have a lot of respect for England even if we lost the game. I am sure about that.

"We will talk about the game for only two minutes and then I will talk about the future for a lot longer. Technically I have nothing to say other than congratulations for the performance."

Eriksson shares the sense of bewilderment that fans across the country experienced when France grabbed two late goals in Lisbon to clinch victory on Sunday, even though England had looked in control.

He said: "It's difficult to understand how we lost the game because the game was ours.

"But I would be happy if we can go on playing like we did against France. I would like a different result of course but I think we did fantastically if you take away the last three minutes.

"The players did exactly what I asked them to do, what we have been talking about and practising.

"Considering we took on France and gave them very few opportunities during 90 minutes, I think it was very good. If we played the game again I would do it exactly the same way.

"I don't think it will be difficult to pick the players up. I think they will look forward to Thursday's game against Switzerland, they will look forward to it 100 per cent."

Eriksson's job is to lift the players over the next 24 hours and to make sure there are no signs of depression or frustration hanging around in the camp.

But he admits there is little he can say to console Beckham for missing a penalty or Steven Gerrard for the unfortunate back-pass that led to France's last-minute penalty.

The England Head Coach said: "What can you say to Steven Gerrard? He didn't see Thierry Henry, what do you say about that? It happened, and that's just football.

"What can you say to David Beckham? Put the penalty in the other corner? No, if there was a tactical problem I would have talked about it but what happened wasn't deserved and I don't think we should go on about it.

"Obviously the atmosphere in the dressing room afterwards was not a party There was no singing or talking and everybody was very disappointed because we think we deserved to win.

"But knowing the English mentality we will come back. The one positive thing is that we have a chance to put it right in the next two games. If we play like we did I think we will go through and have a very good tournament.

"I spoke a little bit with David Beckham after the game. He was alone in the dressing room when everybody was sitting on the coach.

"I think I said something about how it's important to build it up again. Not the play or the fitness but more the mental side.

"As for penalties, I haven't thought about that. I think he would like to take a penalty today if we were playing another game, I am sure about that.

"If he feels he doesn't want to do it, then we will choose someone else but if he still feels he's the best man he can continue.

"That is what I expect. Beckham is very mentally strong and of course he can put it behind him."

14 June 2004  
Sven media conference - AUDIO