12 October 2004
Jermaine Pennant exclusive

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The Arsenal winger is just four games off the record number of games at this level, and with no goals yet to his name, a strike today would help England in their road to the European Championship finals.

But Pennant says that, after a year of playing regularly for Leeds last season, the defensive side of his game has improved no end.

"Playing 34 games in the Premiership, that's the only way you're going to learn. The season before I wasn't playing so often and wasn't aware of those duties, but it's something I've taken on board and it's going well," he told TheFA.com's Dan Freedman.

"You have to have balance in your play, it only makes you a better player. You can go forward as much as you want, but at the same time you've got to be prepared to get back.

England coach Peter Taylor, a former right winger himself, has given Jermaine instructions to try and get some goals for his country.

"He's asked me to score more goals and he's told me to start coming inside," said Pennant. 

"He's given me the license to take the ball into the middle and run at them."

"I don't score enough goals, but I do assist a lot and to me assisting is just as good as scoring."

Will Jermaine find the net today?  Stay logged on to TheFA.com for news from the U21s in Azerbaijan.

England starting line-up;

1 Scott Carson
2 Nicky Hunt
3 Danny Harding
4 Glen Johnson
5 Calum Davenport
6 Gary O'Neill (c)
7 Jermaine Pennant
8 James Milner
9 Jonathan Stead
10 Nigel Reo Coker
11 Peter Whittingham

You can watch the full interview with Jermaine on England TV, just click on the links above.