Fran Kirby is convinced England can deal with heightened expectation as Euro 2017 comes fully into focus.
The Lionesses have been riding high since finishing third at the 2015 World Cup in Canada.
They climbed to an all-time high of fourth in the FIFA world rankings and then qualified unbeaten for the Euros.
And Kirby believes her team-mates are mentally prepared to deal with the pressure that comes with being one of the teams to beat.
“The expectation is a lot higher now,” she said on Sky Sports’ Sportswomen programme.
“We’re going to have a lot more attention on us. I think it’s a pressure we can deal with. There is always pressure in football, be that playing for your club or country.
“Before the World Cup there were some people doubting whether we could win under pressure and we did that.
“But everyone is so excited to get going and we want to carry on that momentum from the World Cup.”
England’s first assignment of 2017 is a double-header against Norway and Sweden in La Manga later this month.
Kirby made her debut against Sweden in August 2014 and she helped knock Norway out of the World Cup at the last-16 stage.
She said: “Norway gave us a really good game in the World Cup.
“Sweden will always be difficult to play against so they will be two good warm-up games.
“We’ll have a few more friendlies in the build-up [to the Euros] and we need to make sure we’re ready for anything that is thrown at us.”
Kirby continued: “We need to make sure we’re in the best shape possible, both individually and as a team, going into the Euros.
“Our aim is to go there and win it.
“Coming off the back of a really good World Cup campaign, we need to go there and play the best we can.”
Mark Sampson’s side begin their Euro campaign against Scotland in Utrecht on 19 July.
They then face Spain in Breda on 23 July before finishing up against Portugal in Tilburg on 27 July.
Kirby, who is making her way back from a knee injury, said: “They are all going to be tough. Tournament football is completely different. Anyone can win any game.
“Spain will be difficult. We played them recently and only beat them narrowly, and Portugal have got some good, young players coming through.
“Scotland will be difficult as well.
“With it being the first game of the Euros for both of us it’s always going to be difficult. They have got some great players – some play in the WSL, some have played in America.
“We need to make sure we don’t take anyone lightly.”
She added: “I just want to help the team, be that scoring a goal or creating a goal.
“That’s the great thing about this team; everyone just wants to help each other.”
