Glenn: Confidence The Key

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Glenn Roeder says it is Trevor Sinclair's self-confidence that has earned him a starting spot in the England team.

Glenn, who has kept in contact with the three West Ham players involved on England duty, reveals:

"I spoke to Joe last week and I spoke to Trevor this morning; at the moment he looks like he has secured that left hand position in midfield for himself on the strength of what is now three excellent performances.

"He came on against Argentina and had a fantastic game against a very experienced and world class player in Zenetti.

"I thought he played his part and was as good as any England player against Nigeria and again, against Denmark.

"Him and Ashley Cole are really making an excellent partnership down the left side for England.

"What I said to Trevor today was 'the difference in your three performances to your performance against South Korea is huge' - which he admitted himself.

"He doesn't look like the same player, and I would sum it up in one word - belief.

"He is now playing with belief, but against South Korea that wasn't the Trevor Sinclair that plays for West Ham."

The South Korea game, in which he played half, was of course a friendly ahead of the World Cup and one which saw him involved only as a standby player.

Adds Glenn:

"When he came home for that short period before he flew back out to be part of the 23 I said to him, he was too negative in his interviews after the game.

"You could sense that he was not feeling confident, which was ridiculous because he had no reason to be like that; we had a chat about believing in himself, going out there and showing everyone what he can do.

"He has gone back out and he is a valued member of England's first eleven.

"I think he will take an awful lot of shifting, and I can't see any reason why he doesn't start against Brazil.

"He is going to really enjoy playing against one of the all-time greats in Cafu, Brazil's right back cum wing back - and talking to him this morning he is really looking forward to that prospect."

Glenn is pleased that West Ham have three representatives at the World Cup and adds:

"I am very proud for all three of them; David James is being kept back in reserve and you know that if he is called upon to play for England he can do a great job.

"I know how David thinks now and he will keep himself fully fit and fully motivated, and if he is required he'll be able to click in to the mode of doing very well - so he is waiting for his chance.

"Joe has had a taste already against Sweden but he has had a little groin strain in the last week or so that has cleared up now, he is back on the bench and he is chomping at the bit for another opportunity to get back on the pitch - if he does, I know he will do very well."