After World Cup we had to do better - Gerrard
September 08, 2010 11:53:08 UK
England midfielder Steven Gerrard believes the national team's woeful World Cup showing was key to them raising their game in the recent Euro 2012 qualifiers.
But the Liverpool star has stressed the importance of not getting carried away by two Euro 2012 qualifying group wins over Bulgaria at Wembley and Switzerland in Basle even though those two wins make them clear favourites to qualify.
England can currently be backed at 1.02 to win Group G.
Gerrard said: "I think all the players realised that over in South Africa it wasn't good enough so we needed to re-group.
"We need to stick together and try and raise the performance levels. I think over the last two games we have certainly done that.
"I just think we've re-grouped. Everyone was hurt and disappointed by letting the nation down over in South Africa.
It's going to be a long time and a long process before we're really back.
Steven Gerrard
"We know we have to put it right but it's important not to get carried away by these two results.
"It's going to be a long time and a long process before we're really back."
Gerrard also gave some praise to Wayne Rooney who has been troubled by off field allegations about his private life. Rooney did not look troubled though and scored his first goal for England for 12 months to put a disappointing World Cup, where he did not manage to score even one goal, behind him.
He said: "All the talk in the build-up was about Wayne but we showed a great togetherness and the early goal for Wayne did him the world of good.
"Over the two games he's been fantastic for us.
"People said the Swiss players might try to wind him up but I wouldn't say that was the case.
"I think they are an honest team and they have a good record, especially at home.
"People were talking about them being difficult to play against, hard to score against and hard to break down.
"But I thought we tore them apart at times and Wayne played a big part in that."
England are already looking good for Euro 2012 and are currently available at 10.00 to win the tournament. Holders Spain can be backed at 3.50 with Germany available at 4.00 and Holland also among those fancied at 8.50.
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