England Under-21s: The Future Was Bright Before It Became The Dim Present
Despite very modest success at senior level, England have looked to the juniors in recent years for signs of promise in the future. But now that England’s Under-21s have failed to make it past the group stage of the European Championships, we have to try and fool ourselves that it’s because our best youngsters have already made the step up. So here goes the ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say
Under 21s: England Victorious In Viborg
England celebrated a convincing 4-0 win over Denmark in an international friendly as preparation for this summer’s European Under 21 Championship.
Goals from Danny Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge, Scott Sinclair and Jordan Henderson saw Stuart Pearce’s men secure the win.
The game was unfortunately marred by an injury to Micah Richards as he was hauled off after ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say
Under 21s Go Goal Crazy
Only available to see for a limited number of viewers, but those who made the effort were well rewarded, as England’s Under-21s beat Macedonia’s boys 6-3 at the Ricoh Arena.
First half goals from Gibbs and captain Richards put the Young Lions two up, but the Macedonians pegged us back to 2-2 shortly after the break.
Article continues below
// ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say
Pearce To Recommend Walcott For Senior Upgrade
Theo Walcott was somewhat unexpectedly excluded from Fabio Capello’s senior squad to face Ukraine on Saturday and Belarus on Wednesday. However, he could still face Belarus if Stuart Pearce has anything to do with it.
Under the current system there is great fluidity between the Under-21s and the senior side, with Pearce involved in both. Therefore, should Walcott play successfully ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say
Young Lions Maintain Confident Start
Stuart Pearce’s Under-21s earned another point to go second in their qualifying group, three points behind the leaders but with a game in hand.
Greece top Group Nine, so after beating Macedonia 2-1 on Friday, Pearce’s boys should consider a draw away from home to be a decent result against a very strong side.
Article continues below
// --> // ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say
Young Lions Clatter Into Final Hurdle
A mixture of great finishing from the Germans and a lack of firepower from England meant that the Young Lions were given a harsh lesson in the Under-21s European Championships final, losing 4-0 to Germany.
Despite dominating possession and creating plenty of chances, Stuart Pearce’s men and boys received a sound thrashing from the side they could have knocked out of the whole ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say
England U21: Former Pompey Star Hateley Recalls His Springboard To Success
Former Portsmouth and England Under 21international Mark Hateley recalled just what a life-chager winning the UEFA Under-21 tournament can be.
Hateley is a veteran of ther last England side to win the tournament in 1984 and within weeks he had been capped by the full squad, scored in the Maracana against Brazil and been transferred to AC Milan! Article continues ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say
England’s Eyes Are On The Prize
England’s Under-21s go into the European Championships final (kick off 7.45pm Sky Sports) with only one thing on their mind: victory over Germany and lifting the trophy. Ok then, two things.
Stuart Pearce’s second choice eleven managed to hold Germany to a 1-1 draw in the group game, and even without three key players (Joe Hart, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Fraizer ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say
Young Lions Scrape Through After Early Domination
Well, it wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t have to work for it, would it?
England’s Under-21s have qualified for the final of the European Championships after throwing away a 3-0 first half lead by winning on penalties.
Yes, you did read that correctly. ‘England’, ‘winning’ and ‘penalties’ DID appear together in the same ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say
Walcott Wants To Be A Winner…with The Under-21s
The talk before the tournament was whether Stuart Pearce would be able to call on the established senior international Theo Walcott to boost his Under-21s team. Not whether the Arsenal youngster would be good enough to play.
But that’s the current situation, and no-one really feels, Theo especially, that he isn’t. However, Pearce’s policy of team selection has helped ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say
Rodwell Impresses As Pearce's Reserves Hold Germany
In his first Under-21s start, Everton’s Jack Rodwell stood out among a side made up of Stuart Pearce’s second-strength players, scoring the equalising goal in a 1-1 draw with a full-strength German side.
The draw sees England through as group leaders, and the Germans through as runners-up. Not the ideal scenario for Pearce, but he will still be delighted with the performance ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say
England Aim To Maintain 100% Record Against Germany
Despite already qualifying for the semi-finals of the European Under-21s Championships with a game to spare, Stuart Pearce’s side will be aiming to make it three wins out of three in the group stage, with a victory over old rivals Germany.
“England against Germany is a massive match and we are going to attempt to win. Every time those two countries play there is a lot on ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say
Super-subs Send England Sailing Through To Semis
England have already booked themselves a semi-final spot with a game to spare in the European Under-21 Championships, thanks to second half goals from Fraizer Campbell and James Milner in a 2-0 victory over Spain.
Manager Stuart Pearce had called it his “biggest test”, but will now get to graduate onto the next level, after the small matter of meeting Germany on ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say
Spain Provide The "biggest Test" To Pearce And England
Their senior side are European champions, but the kids ain’t too bad either. Stuart Pearce has described this game as “my biggest test” and knows that a win would send his Under-21s side straight through to the semi-finals with a game to spare. It’s easier said than done though, in a match that must surely be the pick of the round.
Michael Mancienne will be ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say
Unconvincing Under-21s Battle With Ten Men For Opening Victory
A less than impressive performance from the England Under-21s was still enough for Stuart Pearce’s youngsters to claim the full three points and win the first game of the European Championships.
A deflected Lee Cattermole goal put England ahead early on, but when Michael Mancienne got himself sent off for felling Berat Sadek in the 31st minute, the Finns’ former Southampton ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say
Under-21s Preview: Success Is 'vital' To England’s Future, Claims Pearce
England Under-21s manager Stuart Pearce has spoken of his confidence going in to the European Championships, which start this week, claiming that major tournament success is “vital” for preparing England’s future stars for being part of a winning side at the top level.
“I said two years ago that it was vital that we get a solid base at the younger age groups if we ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say
Magic Mancienne Kickstarts Magnificent Seven
A Michael Mancienne goal in the first minute helped England Under-21s romp home to a 7-0 victory over their Azerbaijan counterparts. In fact, it was so comfortable that Stuart Pearce ended the game playing his keeper up front.
“We had to do that because Cat's (Lee Cattermole) pulled a slight injury and with the tournament a week away we were at a loss as what to do,” he told ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say
Wales U21s V England U21s
England's U21s will face Wales youngsters at Ninian Park, Cardiff in the Uefa European Championship play-off. England have a much more experienced squad with more than two thirds able to boast Premier League experience. Aaron Lennon and Micah Richards are both injured and will be replaced by Wolves' Richard Stearman and defender Jack Cork who is on loan at Southampton respectively.Southampton's ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say
U 21's Cruise To Victory
Fabio Capello was at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground to cast his eye over two of the England under 21 squad that have been picked in the full squad for England’s next two friendlies.
The England boss watched the youngsters cruise to an easy 2-0 victory with goals coming from Tom Huddlestone and Theo Walcott.
Huddlestone opened the scoring from the penalty spot, then Walcott doubled the lead ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say
O'neill Denies Spat With Pearce
Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has denied that there is a rift between himself and England U21 manager Stuart Pearce, despite what reports are saying.
O'Neill was left fuming after Craig Gardner picked up a thigh injury in the England U21’s game against Poland last week, since then there have been reports that he has fallen out with Pearce.
But O’Neil insists that nothing could be further from the truth and in his opinion someone has been trying to make a story out of ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say
Youngsters Draw With Poles
Stuart Pearce experimented with his England under 21 side in the game against Poland at Molineux tonight, the game ended 0-0 although that was no surprise as there were not a great deal of chances.
England started of okay, an early free kick from Craig Gardner brought the Polish keeper Przemyslaw Tyton into action although it wasn‘t a text book save.
Tyton made a more orthodox save when Cameron Jerome tried his luck with an effort with his right foot and again England were ....
Read What The Fans Have To Say