IF England can find the belief then Euro 2004 is theirs for the taking.

On Monday night, Sven Goran Eriksson's team put in a terrific performance against Croatia to book their place in the last eight.

Now they face a potentially tricky quarter final tie with Portugal in Lisbon tomorrow but I firmly believe we've got what it takes to go all the way.

I've seen everyone play in this tournament now and I honestly don't think we've got anything to fear.

However, if David Beckham and his charges really want to fulfil their potential and end the nation's 38-year wait for a trophy then it's absolutely vital they start believing in themselves going into the knockout stages.

I thought we beat Croatia at a canter on Monday night and if the players don't feel confident now then they never will.

They should be saying to themselves 'we can flippin' win this' because once you get to this point in a tournament it's all about mental strength.

Don't get me wrong, we still face a serious test of our character against a host nation who'll be playing on their home turf tomorrow.

Portugal are a good, solid side with some great individuals and they seem to be growing in stature as the tournament progresses.

We haven't seen the best of Luis Figo as yet and you can bet he'll be fired up to face us in Lisbon.

They've also got Deco and Ronaldo who've got the talent to destroy any side on their day.

But man-for-man, I genuinely think we've got better players who, even more crucially, are going into the match in better form.

Wayne Rooney has been an absolute revelation so far and he must be surpassing even his own expectations.

Four goals in three games is a phenomenal achievement for a man so young.

He's easily been the best player of the tournament to date and his confidence must be sky high as a result.

When you've got someone in that kind of form, it gives everyone else in the team a massive lift.

But Rooney isn't the only man in this side capable of chipping in with goals.

In fact, I can't remember seeing an England side containing so many players with an eye for goal.

Six, or possibly even seven, of the starting line-up are capable of producing the goods when it matters, a point illustrated by the fact we're the tournament's leading scorers and Michael Owen has still to open his account!

That's a wonderful quality to have as a team.

The only thing that slightly concerns me is certain aspects of our defending.

Against Switzerland, and again on Monday night, we looked vulnerable whenever the opposition put crosses in, particularly at set-pieces.

I'm normally a big fan of John Terry but he hasn't performed to anywhere near the level Ledley King did in our first game against France. For me, King should replace Terry for the rest of the tournament because, on current evidence, he looks the better player.

He's strong, he's quick, he looks more composed on the ball and, most importantly, he seems to sense danger quicker than his Chelsea rival.

I can understand why Sven will probably stay loyal to the same eleven that beat Croatia when he names his team tomorrow but I, personally, think we'd look far more secure with King alongside Sol Campbell.

Come on, England - a nation expects.