Beckham in clover with new man at Real helm

Real Madrid's England star David Beckham says he is in clover after the arrival at the helm of Juan Ramon Lopez Caro two months ago.

Since Lopez Caro, formerly reserve coach, replaced sacked Brazilian coach Wanderley Luxemburgo the nine-time European champions and 29-times Spanish league winners have gradually managed to haul themselves back into the title race even if Barcelona are a mammoth 13 points clear.

Beckham, who said after the slender weekend win at Celta Vigo which cemented Real's third spot that he wanted to see out his playing career with Real despite speculation linking him with a return to England, explained Lopez Caro's work ethic was paying dividends.

"We are working hard. I said the first two months under Lopez Caro would be very tough."

"We knew he was going to work us hard to get back to form and we have done that," Beckham said in an interview with Marca sports daily on Wednesday.

However, Beckham admitted actually going on to edge out Barca from pole position would be asking a lot.

"We will have to keep improving. The league is very difficult," he explained, while saying Real still had a chance, particularly with Raul and Ronaldo gradually returning to fitness.

Beckham said team spirit was on the up.

"We are more united on the field than we have been for months and this has been making us win games."

On his own role, Beckham said Lopez Caro had told him to spend more time out on the right flank in a role "similar to what I was doing at Manchester United."

But he added he was not unduly worried about tactical system, saying simply that "I'm enjoying things."

Beckham is itching to win a trophy with Real, who have made the semi-finals of the Spanish Cup in which he was a runner-up in his first season and who are unbeaten this year.

But Barca pose a formidable league obstacle and Arsenal are the next Champions League challenge, visiting the Bernabeu on February 21.

Real said Wednesday they hope that Raul can make the return leg on March 8 at Highbury after what will be nearly four months out after the all-time top Champions League scorer ruptured a meniscus and suffered a partial knee ligament rupture against Barcelona on November 19.

Looking forward to testing his mettle against English opposition, Beckham said those encounters would show how far Real were on track for glory.

"Now we're up for Arsenal, who are really tough and talented opponents."

Beckham said Real would have a good chance of advancing if they continue in their present vein, noting that the club had not played as well since his first first six months on board after arriving from Old Trafford in July 2003.