WHAT a boost to David Beckham's confidence it will be when he learns that Neil Bramwell is "yet to be convinced" of his ability (LET, September 11).

This expert on all things sportive and, in a previous role, culinary - has spoken.

This is of course the same expert who wrote off Euro '96 after a couple of games, who calls the chairman of Tesco "a grocer," whose opinions on anyone who leaves Blackburn Rovers immediately reverse and who never lets reasoned argument stand in the way of vituperation.

Paul Gascoigne, too, can take heart. Everybody's man of the match for England against Moldova was "blowing" after 70 minutes.

We can probably look forward to a hat-trick from him in Rome.

KEITH REYNOLDS, Hindle Street, Darwen.

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