New skipper Scott Parker admits England need more than the “courage and commitment” shown in their vain fightback against Holland at Wembley on Wednesday night if they are to win major tournaments.
Parker was full of emotion after being handed the armband by interim coach Stuart Pearce – with one of the other candidates, Steven Gerrard, amongst the first to congratulate him.
But he could not prevent England slipping to a 3-2 defeat despite recovering from 2-0 down and they now have only two more matches before boarding the plane for the Euro 2012 finals.
Two quality goals from Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben sealed England’s fate.
Parker said: “It was a tough game against a very good team who were World Cup finalists so we knew how good they were going to be.
“Let’s not hide the fact that they’ve got players like Arjen Robben, and, whoever he is playing against, those are the sort of things he can do. It was quality.
“At 2-0 down we could have hidden in our shell a little bit so we have to take great positives in that we got back into the game at 2-2 but are disappointed we’ve let one in late on.
“We all realise it’s not just courage and commitment that is going to win you tournaments.
“We need to add a little bit more (quality). I’d like to think over the course of time we can do that and this game was a good step.”
Parker only found out about leading the side on the morning of the game and it is a massive fillip for a player who was overlooked by England for long periods of his career.
He said: “It was a very proud day, something I only dreamed of as a boy and probably, if I’m being honest, probably only thought it would end up as a dream. It’s a good advert for perseverance!
“Stuart Pearce named his team in a meeting at 10.15am and then said I would be captain.
“I didn’t get briefed beforehand and that was very emotional. Nothing really lines you up for when it actually happens.
“You think about it and all day I was thinking about leading the team out and, when it happens, and you are standing there listening to the national anthems, it really hits you what I was doing.”
Parker added: “Stevie G was one of the first to congratulate me and said I deserved it and he’d support me.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less from Stevie. He is a fantastic player and fantastic professional.”
Parker would like another chance as captain but feels England can approach Euro 2012 with confidence whether Pearce or bookmakers’ favourite Harry Redknapp, his Tottenham manager, is at the helm.
He said: “I’d like more really. Obviously my main focus now is to keep my form with Tottenham and we will see moving forward what will be, whether it will be a new manager or what will happen.
“If Harry is the manager, if Stuart takes us to the Euros, whoever it may be, we are in good stead. I owe a lot to Stuart. He gave me my chance as captain and I really appreciate that.”
