Blake set to make changes
By Nicholas Veevers
Friday, 07 October, 2011
Head Coach intends to use all of his squad in France.
England U19s are in action later today when they face their second game in the Limoges Tournament in France, with Portugal waiting in opposition.
The Young Lions opened up the competition on Wednesday night when they were held to a 2-2 draw by the host nation, so Head Coach Noel Blake will now be hoping they can go one step further against the Portuguese.
Blake has promised to make changes from the side which started against France, not because of how that game went, but because he wants to make sure that all of his 18-man squad get a good run-out over the course of the competition.
“I’ll make changes for the game,” said Blake.
“We have three games in five days here which is very demanding and I haven’t brought the players here to burn them out.”
The games are rounded off on Sunday with a match against Ukraine, when Blake will make changes again.
“All of the players here will start a game and we’ll look to get them all playing 90 minutes over the course of the three games,” he added.
“I’ve told them that. Some players may start two, and some may start three games depending on circumstances.
“But it’s about development for them and learning along the way.”