Post by Salem6 on May 17, 2004 10:38:12 GMT
By Martin Lipton, Chief Football Writer
ASHLEY COLE last night admitted the prospect of taking on Thierry Henry and Co in England's Euro 2004 opener is "scary".
The Arsenal left-back's passport to Portugal will be confirmed today when Sven Goran Eriksson unveils a 23-man squad unlikely to include any surprise faces.
But after sharing in Henry's magnificent Highbury campaign, Cole conceded that the thought of trying to shackle the Frenchman in Lisbon on June 13 made him realise how deep England will have to dig.
Cole said: "It's scary to think about what Thierry and the other French boys can do, but you want to play in these big games.
"Of course you're scared a bit because of what players they have got, but we are not going to go into the game and show them too much respect.
"I have trained with Thierry and know that there are times when you cannot stop him. He has been great for us. Hopefully he has used up all his energy for Arsenal."
If Eriksson's side could beat the defending champions they would have one foot in the quarter-finals and show their hopes of glory are genuine rather than another illusion.
Fitness permitting, Cole is certain to feature and Eriksson has already chosen his starting side, with Frank Lampard replacing Nicky Butt in the midfield anchor role and Wayne Rooney partnering Michael Owen up front.
The phony war began in earnest as Robert Pires playfully jeered in Cole's ear as the defender was asked to consider what might happen in Lisbon.
Cole added: "It is going to be a really hard one against France as everyone knows, but I think the England boys are confident.
"Anything can happen on the day and we're going into the tournament believing we can do well.
"With players like Steven Gerrard, we do feel we can get a result and Sol Campbell knows Thierry better than anyone. It will be a tough battle but hopefully we will come out on top."
Eriksson was last night completing his final list which will be announced at London's Cafe Royal.
The England coach has until June 3 to confirm his squad with UEFA in case of injuries, but with the Swede unconvinced that Gareth Southgate will be fit after his knee injury, Ledley King of THFC and Liverpool's Jamie Carragher will be the understudies to first-choice centre-backs Campbell and John Terry.
Ian Walker will be the third goalkeeper behind David James and Paul Robinson, meaning that the trio taken to the tournament will have finished the Premiership campaign in 16th, 18th and 19th positions respectively.
Eriksson is set to give Phil Neville and Joe Cole the news they have their fingers crossed to hear, but it is likely to spell heartbreak for Danny Mills and Jermain Defoe, with the THFC striker squeezed out in favour of long-term favourite Darius Vassell.
www.mirror.co.uk/sport/sporttop/tm_objectid=14247603%26method=full%26siteid=50143%26headline=cole%2d%2dwe%2dmust%2ddig%2ddeep%2dto%2dbury%2dthe%2dfrench-name_page.html
ASHLEY COLE last night admitted the prospect of taking on Thierry Henry and Co in England's Euro 2004 opener is "scary".
The Arsenal left-back's passport to Portugal will be confirmed today when Sven Goran Eriksson unveils a 23-man squad unlikely to include any surprise faces.
But after sharing in Henry's magnificent Highbury campaign, Cole conceded that the thought of trying to shackle the Frenchman in Lisbon on June 13 made him realise how deep England will have to dig.
Cole said: "It's scary to think about what Thierry and the other French boys can do, but you want to play in these big games.
"Of course you're scared a bit because of what players they have got, but we are not going to go into the game and show them too much respect.
"I have trained with Thierry and know that there are times when you cannot stop him. He has been great for us. Hopefully he has used up all his energy for Arsenal."
If Eriksson's side could beat the defending champions they would have one foot in the quarter-finals and show their hopes of glory are genuine rather than another illusion.
Fitness permitting, Cole is certain to feature and Eriksson has already chosen his starting side, with Frank Lampard replacing Nicky Butt in the midfield anchor role and Wayne Rooney partnering Michael Owen up front.
The phony war began in earnest as Robert Pires playfully jeered in Cole's ear as the defender was asked to consider what might happen in Lisbon.
Cole added: "It is going to be a really hard one against France as everyone knows, but I think the England boys are confident.
"Anything can happen on the day and we're going into the tournament believing we can do well.
"With players like Steven Gerrard, we do feel we can get a result and Sol Campbell knows Thierry better than anyone. It will be a tough battle but hopefully we will come out on top."
Eriksson was last night completing his final list which will be announced at London's Cafe Royal.
The England coach has until June 3 to confirm his squad with UEFA in case of injuries, but with the Swede unconvinced that Gareth Southgate will be fit after his knee injury, Ledley King of THFC and Liverpool's Jamie Carragher will be the understudies to first-choice centre-backs Campbell and John Terry.
Ian Walker will be the third goalkeeper behind David James and Paul Robinson, meaning that the trio taken to the tournament will have finished the Premiership campaign in 16th, 18th and 19th positions respectively.
Eriksson is set to give Phil Neville and Joe Cole the news they have their fingers crossed to hear, but it is likely to spell heartbreak for Danny Mills and Jermain Defoe, with the THFC striker squeezed out in favour of long-term favourite Darius Vassell.
www.mirror.co.uk/sport/sporttop/tm_objectid=14247603%26method=full%26siteid=50143%26headline=cole%2d%2dwe%2dmust%2ddig%2ddeep%2dto%2dbury%2dthe%2dfrench-name_page.html