James: New ball is absolute nightmare

"He is one of the best free-kick takers in the world, though, and I suppose it was his ability which foiled me."

James said England captain David Beckham had asked him if he wanted a player back on the post as England lined up to defend the freekick but said he rejected the offer.

"The problem with a player on the post," explained James, "is that the opposition can them come closer to you and what you want is a clear sight of the goal.

"Becks asked me if I wanted a player there but I said 'no' because it's not something I'm used to. You need to practise that in training if you are going to use it."

Zidane also scored from the penalty spot two minutes later and James admitted: "I've watched a video of around 40 penalty-takers and I know goalkeepers have theories about them. David Seaman had his ideas but he wouldn't tell anyone else and his record was pretty good.

James is keen on the psychology of sport and believes England will be in good mental shape for tomorrow's match against Switzerland.

"It's not going to be an easy match," he said, "because they have to win as well but in some respects the manner of our defeat was good for us because the confidence from our performance should overflow into this game.

"We have a game plan and if we can reproduce the performance for 90 minutes against France, we should be fine.

"We want to meet France again. If there is a fairytale plan it would be scuppered by someone else knocking them out."

James believes there is no better man at the helm to guide England through the nest three weeks than Eriksson.

"He is without a shadow of a doubt the best I have worked with," the England star added.

"He doesn't say a lot but we had a meeting on the day after the match and everyone came out with a spring in their step.

"His organisation is thorough, which I like and his attention to detail is second to none. He is a proper boss, an authorative figure and you don't have to challenge him.

"If there is a problem he lets the people there deal with it."

James also said he would have no worries tomorrow, whether Ledley King keeps his place or is replaced by John Terry, who is fit again following a hamstring injury.

"The back four didn't put a foot wrong the other night," he said. "Ledley had a tremendous game but I would be very confident if John came back, or Jamie Carragher played. That is the beauty of the squad we have."