Terry: 'Three points are important'
By Nicholas Veevers
Monday, 05 September, 2011
Captain expecting tough game from 'confident' Welsh.
England captain John Terry admits he’ll be happy with a repeat of the result from March against Wales, when the sides meet again at Wembley on Tuesday night.
Goals from Frank Lampard and Darren Bent sealed three points for England at the Millennium Stadium and Terry knows that a similar outcome this time will put the Three Lions in a strong position to qualify for the European Championship Finals next summer.
However, the Chelsea defender knows that with ‘local pride’ at stake and with many of the players knowing each other so well from domestic football, it might not be as easy for England as people envisage.
“The last time we played them it was a tough game but we started very well and got off to a good start so that made it easier in the end,” he explained.
“We’re expecting a really tough game tomorrow night though, because they’ll be full of confidence after their win against Montenegro.
“The players know each other inside-out really. I played against (Steve) Morison not that long ago for Norwich and he was a handful.
“Ideally, it will be nice to get off to a good start like we did in Bulgaria, but if it doesn’t go according to plan it’s important that we stay patient and the fans stay with us.
“It’s really important that we pick up the three points tomorrow night.”
Terry has also been impressed with the new intake of players within the squad, as Fabio Capello has looked to select some of the more youthful players to have come through the England ranks in recent years.
With no player guaranteed a spot in the starting eleven, including Terry himself, the captain feels it can only be a good thing for England.
“There are a lot of players who are really pushing on and playing well for their clubs though, so it’s good to see the management getting them involved,” he said.
“We saw the other night that Chrissy Smalling came in and did very well and so did Gary Cahill alongside me.
“Everyone’s really fighting for their places so we all feel under pressure with that.
“I think that’s a good thing, no-one has ever taken the shirt for granted and I can assure you now that’s never been the case since I’ve been involved with England.
“We’re all very proud to wear the England shirt and we’re very fortunate to do so.”
England play Wales in their penultimate UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier at Wembley, for tickets click here