England

1-1

Romania

Derbyshire 8

Hart (og) 25


Nationwide Under-21 International Friendly
7.45pm, Tuesday 21 August 2007
Bristol City FC, Ashton Gate

Stuart Pearce was happy with the efforts of his new Under-21 group - but warned they'll have to do better when the Euro 2009 qualifying campaign starts against Montenegro next month.

Pearce delivered his verdict after watching Matt Derbyshire's early goal cancelled out by an unlucky Joe Hart own goal, when Bogdan Stancu's free-kick hit the bar and rebounded in off his back, in a friendly at Ashton Gate.

Pearce said: "There were a lot of positives - it is a new group of players and at times it looked like a pre-season friendly because we had a lot of people trying to find themselves at this level.

"But we know we will have to play better if we are going to get a victory in Montenegro. But at least I have an honest group of players who know that before I open my mouth to tell them.

"That's the good thing for me doing this job - I am working with a group of individuals who really want to work hard and to learn and be successful.

"They really want to keep their unbeaten run going at this level for as long as they can."

Pearce was delighted with the contribution of Blackburn's Derbyshire who formed a good front partnership with Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor.

He said: "Gaby got Man of the Match and I thought Matt probably just shaded that - although I don't mind providing the award goes to somebody from England's team.

"I was also very pleased with Michael Kightly - it was always my plan that he would only play half a game because I also wanted to look at Adam Johnson, but he has proved he is capable of being at this level which is fantastic considering he was playing non-League football only a year ago."