http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Stewart-Downing-c34221 refused to be intimidated by the size and form of the French team ahead of England’s crucial fixture against the Les Bleus on Monday, and was confident his side will be able to pull off a result from the game.
The Three Lions have been slated in an intriguing Group D, which also features hosts http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sweden-c3015.
Even though England won their two friendly games against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Belgium-c2850 leading up to the European Championships, Roy Hodgson’s side will be up against a red-hot French team who are currently riding on a 21-match unbeaten streak.
The 27-year old, who started in his side’s 1-0 win against Norway on 26th of May, admitted http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749 will face an uphill task of getting the better of France in the opening game. Even though he acknowledged the strength of Laurent Blanc’s team,
he mentioned their scintillating form did not caste fear in his mind.
While talking to reporters, he said: “We don't fear them. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 are a good team but so are we. We know their strengths and weaknesses. They are good going forward and have some great individual players.”
However, the winger believed the match is expected to be a close affair, and it was pertinent that his side secures a result out of the game.
Downing, a veteran of 34 matches for the Three Lions, was one of the expensive signings made by Liverpool during the last year’s summer transfer window. However, he failed to justify his expensive price tag, netting only 2 goals in 46 appearances for the
Merseyside club.
The former Aston Villa player admitted he was gutted not being able to get too many goals during the previous season, but pointed out he was at times a victim of bad fortune.
He added, “I hit the post and the bar many times and missed a few chances so I was disappointed, especially when I scored goals for Aston Villa the year before.”
Despite his failure to disturb the score sheet on a host of occasions, the English International highlighted his helping role in setting up chances for the other players.
He also mentioned that all the criticism meted at him had only made him stronger, and attributed the Reds poor show in the league to bad luck.
He added, “A lot has been said about Liverpool and the fact we didn't perform but we battered teams at Anfield at times. I can think of one or two bad performances. Most of the time we were very unlucky.”
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