Matthew Upson insists England will travel to South Africa believing they can lift the World Cup.
Defender hails impact of boss Capello
Matthew Upson insists England will travel to South Africa next summer believing they can lift the World Cup.
The West Ham defender is expected to be part of Fabio Capello's squad for the showpiece tournament after playing his part in an impressive qualifying campaign.
While Upson and his team-mates will not be making bold public statements about ending England's 44-year wait for global glory, he claims that behind closed doors the squad have a shared sense of purpose.
Upson told the
Daily Mirror: "Nobody has said it and I don't think anybody is going to say it.
"You have to think it and you have to have belief that we're capable of doing it, otherwise you might as well stay at home.
"I don't think people are going to care if we go out in the semis or the group stage. We'll be judged on whether we win the tournament and put a performance out that is our best.
"People will respect that. That's what they want to see, that we give it everything. The reality is that, for all we've done to qualify, the real work starts now."
Serious
Upson's international career has been revitalised under Capello after failing to make an impression on Sven Goran Eriksson, who was at the helm before Steve McClaren's ill-fated stint in charge.
And the former Arsenal and Birmingham man revealed that the Three Lions are never left in any doubt about the Italian tactician's message to his players.
He added: "His style is very contrasting to someone like Sven.
"He really has brought something different that this generation of England players might not have had before and he has brought good results with it, although we all know the real test will be in the World Cup.
"When he is angry, you can tell. On the touchline you can see he is very passionate, his desire and will to win is just awesome.
"I wouldn't say he rants. But when he says something he says it with a purpose and the message hits home. He's a very serious man, doing a very serious job."
