BACK-TO-BACK victories have raised England's expectations of success here in Portugal but I believe, without getting carried away, that this team has the potential to win the competition.

Furthermore, the players will probably still be together in two years' time with a great opportunity of emulating the rugby boys and lifting the World Cup.

In my era, I don't think I have ever seen an England side so in control of a game or pass the ball so well as they did against Croatia on Monday night. It was a fantastic game and we played some great stuff. Even though we got off to the worst start we could possibly have had, the team stuck to a game-plan and continued to pass the ball.

The fact that they came from behind again under Sven-Goran Eriksson on Monday shows that when you have done it once you know you can do it again. They were still confident at 1-0 down and just played in the same manner.

There are still one or two concerns. David James is getting some flak - even from fans at the game - and people are asking why Michael Owen is not firing on all cylinders and there's also a bit of criticism directed at David Beckham.

I think in their cases it's only because of the high standards they have set themselves but the team in general is playing some fantastic football and it's been a pleasure to watch all the games.

The only worrying thing has been defending set-pieces where I just think the quality from every side has been fantastic, including England. They are all going in the right area which is why you have to be careful not to give away silly free-kicks like Beckham did against Croatia.

You have to be cuter and I'm concerned that could be the one thing that might stop England progressing all the way to the final.

Wayne Rooney has obviously been the star of the show with his four goals and, if he continues in this vein, I think one of those silly bidding wars will happen. I've already been in touch with his agent about next season but, I fear, unfortunately, that we will be outbid for his services.

On a serious note, the first time I saw Rooney play was against Denmark at Old Trafford. I thought then that this lad's a bit special. Since then, he's gone from strength to strength and, as Steven Gerrard said, the world is now his oyster.

Looking at everybody else here and thinking about Thierry Henry, who we all regard as world-class, then you have to put Rooney in the same bracket at this moment in time.

The worrying thing is what happened to Paul Gascoigne at a similar age. He played really well and it brought added pressure as people expected that bit more.

Owen faced a similar scenario when he burst on to the scene and it's about making sure Rooney doesn't get overwhelmed by it. It doesn't look like he is. He looks after himself and I know he has a good agency behind him so he is being well advised.

I think there's no reason why he can't be one of the world's greats because, from the four games I have seen him play, it's clear he's something special.

It's a long time since I've seen anybody of similar ability. I always thought Alan Shearer was the complete striker but the one thing he possibly did not have was that extra burst of pace which Rooney has.

Aside from Rooney, Ashley Cole has stood out for me and Gary Neville and Sol Campbell have both been solid. The defence has been the platform for success because they have been reliable.

They have not done anything fancy. John Terry had a better game after being a bit shaky against Switzerland and was a lot more in control.

Watching the games over here has been absolutely phenomenal. It's great experiencing things from the other side as a fan.

It's been a long time since I've gone to a game just as a spectator and to see everybody united makes you proud to be English. As a fellow professional it makes you a bit jealous because it's what everybody aspires to.

You wish that you could have been able to represent your country and realise that must be the same feeling our fans have watching York City.

It makes you understand supporters venting their frustration and expressing their joy.

As a spectacle, I don't think there's been a bad team in the tournament. I was disappointed with Croatia and thought they would do a bit more. Switzerland also started okay before fading when England got a foothold but nobody out of the 16 teams here has been poor and that speaks volumes for European football.

Updated: 10:41 Thursday, June 24, 2004