We will not panic, says defiant Owen

Michael Owen today said England's players took the recent criticism "with a pinch of salt". The Real Madrid striker, talking today ahead of tomorrow's World Cup qualifier in Poland, said: "We're not panicking at all and we take the criticism with a pinch of salt. If we had got beaten then I would still have the utmost belief in our team that we could still progress to the World Cup finals. We've started off far worse in other competitions,"

Owen, who missed chances in the disappointing 2-2 draw with Austria in Vienna last Saturday, added: "Just because we drew the other night doesn't make us a bad team overnight. We've proven down the years that we can compete with the rest. With a bit more luck we could have had a couple of major championships under our belt.

"The team will stick together more and turn people from negative to positive.

"You get one bad result and everything gets questioned, from David Beckham, to the goalkeeper, everyone gets questioned.

"If we get four points out of two very tough away games then we'll be happy.

"A point is not perfect but we can take positives from the game. Even though we drew against Austria, they were thanking their lucky stars for a point."

One of the main targets for criticism was goalkeeper David James and Sven-Goran Eriksson will consult coach Ray Clemence before deciding whether to pick him for tomorrow's match in Katowice.

James made the mistake which cost England two points in their opening group match against Austria and Eriksson is considering his options before naming his team to face a Polish side who are early group leaders following their 3-0 victory over Northern Ireland at Windsor Park.

Manchester City keeper James also came in for some criticism during Euro 2004, especially following England's opening group match against France but is still favourite to retain his place because it would be a risk to select the comparatively inexperienced Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson for a such an important game.

However Eriksson respects Clemence's opinion and is keen to have the input of the former England goalkeeper, who trained oneonone with James yesterday, before coming to a final decision.

Meanwhile, Poland coach Pawel Janas says he has not had enough time to adequately coach his players.

Janas, whose side beat Northern Ireland 3-0 in Belfast on Saturday, said: "Now we haven't got any recipe for England, but we have one basic thing - good physical preparation. Unfortunately I have no influence in this. My 11 which will play will be made up mostly from foreign-based players. We haven't got much time for 'special' training. We can only train tactics, play arrangement and set-pieces. My players know what I'm expecting. I wouldn't be original if I say that a good atmosphere in a team is the basis of success."

With his squad reaping impressive reward from their trip to Northern Ireland, Janas has not done anything differently in the run-up to the England game.

"I don't separate matches as easy and hard, friendly and for points. Every match is important for me. Every one is a big event," he said.

"I think that the best preparation to win against England was a Northern Ireland demolition, and I believe this (beating England) can happen."

England midfielder Steven Gerrard accepts his side must improve if they are to improve on their recent showings at major championships. "Quarter-finals in the last two tournaments is realistically where we are at the moment," said Gerrard. "If we are to progress we have to improve, to learn to tie down matches. I definitely think we can still qualify for the World Cup but there needs to be a lot of improvement if we are to go on to the next level.

"We still have a lot of learning to do but we have the players and we're not too worried because we know we can put it right."

"Managers can only do so much and then it's down to the players to take responsibility.

"If anything, Saturday's result will give us an extra incentive to support the manager and do even better."