VIDEO: 'Bring away form home'
by Chris Hatherall
Sunday, 04 September, 2011
Theo Walcott hopes England can make Wembley a fortress.
Click here to watch the video from Theo Walcott's Press Conference
Theo Walcott has urged England to bring their away game to Wembley as they prepare for a crucial UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales on Tuesday.
The Three Lions have been unbeatable on the road in recent times winning against Switzerland, Wales, Denmark and most recently Buglaria.
But Fabio Capello’s side have been held to draws at home by Montenegro and Switzerland and Walcott says it is time for England to bring their A-game to Wembley.
“We want to turn Wembley into a fortress,” he said. “We need to take our away form to Wembley and I’m sure it will come. The pitch is terrific so there are no excuses on that front. I’m sure given time it will come.”
Walcott is part of an exciting England attack right now full of pace and youth –and still celebrating a 3-0 victory in Sofia which leaves them needing only four more points to qualify for the Finals in Poland and the Ukraine.
“We’ve got a great balance in the squad, there is so much competition for places and the pace we have going forward is fantastic, not just from the players on the pitch but those on the bench too,” said Walcott. “The third goal against Bulgaria was really attacking and great to see.”
Nobody is in better form than talisman striker Wayne Rooney, who scored twice against Bulgaria to take his international tally to 28.
Walcott said: “When he’s on the pitch he gets an extra percentage out of the other players. He creates so much space for other players and he's scoring with his head now too.
“As for qualification, we are not looking too far ahead, we are just concentrating on Tuesday. Wales got a nice little boost to their confidence with a win over Montenegro. So we’ll just try and win that game first.”
Walcott, who scored a hat-trick against Croatia early in his career, is still waiting for goal number four but won’t put any pressure on himself to score at Wembley.
“Not at all. I’m scoring goals for my club and it will come for England,” he said. “I’m only 22 still – people think because I’ve been around for such a long time that I’m older. It will come. I’m not going to put pressure on myself because apart from the goals everything is going well.”
England play Wales in their penultimate UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier at Wembley, for tickets
click here