Captain David Beckham says England will be pounding Switzerland right from kickoff in Thursday's Euro 2004 clash as they vent their frustration following the agonising defeat by France.

England's 2-1 injury-time loss to the European champions on Sunday has left them in desperate need of three points as they try to qualify from Group B.

"From the word go, we're going to try and hit them as hard as we can," Beckham told a news conference on Tuesday.

"Obviously, there will still be frustration from the other night for our team and with them drawing (0-0 with Croatia), they'll be looking to come forward.

"We are definitely looking forward to playing this game... and to attacking them as soon as the whistle goes."

Beckham said England would treat the Swiss as if they were European champions in Coimbra, aware that defeat would make it very difficult for them to progress in the tournament.

"We're going into this game thinking we're playing the French again," said the midfielder.

"We're not taking lightly any team we come up against. We know every game in our group now is a tough one and we have to win.

"If we don't perform and don't get the result we need we're out of the competition."

England enjoyed huge support in Sunday's game at the Estadio da Luz and Beckham knows that millions back home are counting on his side to show their fighting spirit.

"That's what's good about being English, because the English mentality is to come back straight away and want to prove people wrong," he said.

"If you can do that you're loved in the country. It's what people like to see -- teams bouncing back from things and that's what we're aiming to do on Thursday."

Beckham accepted his role as captain was to rally the troops after Sunday's heartbreak and he insisted that team morale was back to normal.

"As a captain it's my job now to walk around the hotel with a big smile on my face and not worry about what's happened in the last game," he said.

"Players need to feel lifted...and I can assure that all the players now are in good moods."