'We don't fear France'
Stewart Downing is confident England can get off to a good start in Euro 2012 when they face France in their opening game on Monday and insists there is no fear factor.
Roy Hodgson's side also face Sweden and Ukraine in their group but the Liverpool winger is confident the Three Lions have the ability to give a good account of themselves in the tournament.
France might be on a 21-match unbeaten run but Downing claims records are there to be broken.
"We don't fear them," said Downing. "France 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.
"It will be a tough game but it is a great opening match for us to play and we are confident we can get a result against them."
Liverpool's No.19 also spoke about his frustration at a lack of goals in a red shirt and is eager to put that right next season.
"The fact is I didn't get enough goals," 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.
"Sometimes you are on a run and get goals; sometimes you don't. I try to score and maybe next season I will get 10 or 15. Football is like that.
"Statistics have taken over the game: he doesn't score this, he hasn't set up that. You can read into it as you like.
"I've constantly set up chances, season in and season out. I can't be criticised for not creating. I've just been unlucky that we've not finished the chances.
"Criticism makes you stronger. You are always going to get criticised at a big club like Liverpool but it is a great club to play for.
"I thoroughly enjoyed my first season and I am sure we will be better next year.
"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.
"We just didn't have that killer instinct. The manager said there wasn't much you could say and that was probably right.
"But a lot of new players signed, we played in two cup finals and came away with a medal so there were a lot of positives to come out of it as well."