VIDEO: Three points only
By Nicholas Veevers
Tuesday, 04 October, 2011
Danny Welbeck says England are only focusing on a win on Friday.
Danny Welbeck
says England are only travelling to Montenegro with the aim of winning Friday’s final Euro qualifier to seal their place in the European Championship Finals next summer.
The Three Lions head to Podgorica later this week knowing that if they can avoid defeat against their hosts then that will be enough to secure a spot in Poland and Ukraine, but the Manchester United striker believes that England’s impressive form on the road over the last year or so should stand them in good stead.
“I don’t think it would be right to go to Montenegro and look for a point,” he said. “Our aim is to go and win every single game that we go into and I don’t see why we can’t do that on Friday.
“I’m really looking forward to it, it’s exciting times. Obviously, this will be my first competitive game and I’m delighted to be involved.
“Everyone is going to give it their all and try to make as much progress as they can, so for the younger players to be pushing to try and get into the squad is a positive.”
Welbeck, who represented England at U17, U18, U19 and Under-21 level before earning his first Senior cap against Ghana earlier this year, admits that it’s an honour to be involved in the squad and with a number of players at a similar stage in their careers also called-up, he says that it can only bode well for the future.
“All of the lads are great, and very welcoming so it’s a good set-up in the camp,” he added.
“There’s been a few of the younger players involved in the squad recently, like Chris Smalling and Tom Cleverley.
“There’s great competition in the squad and you come here to train with the best players and hopefully be involved on Friday, but we’ve got great talent all over the squad and there are players who aren’t even here who have great talent.
“So just to be named in the squad, I’m delighted with that.
“I’ll just try my best and keep improving as much as I can by working hard in training every day and see if I can make that step-up into the squad.”
One familiar face who Welbeck admits he’d be more than comfortable sharing the pitch with is fellow United forward Wayne Rooney.
The pair have both impressed at Old Trafford this season and having been in and around the United squad over the last couple of years with each other, the former Preston North End and Sunderland loanee believes their partnership could be re-created on the international stage.
“I don’t see why not, we know each other’s games because we’ve been training together for a couple of years now, so I think it would work,” he explained.
“He’s been on fire since the start of the season, scoring and creating goals and he’s been a great team player as well. Just to be playing and training with him every day is a bonus so I want to learn from him and pick up as much as I can.
“He’s a great guy to go to for advice and is always talking to you during games and training so it’s very beneficial for me.”