VIDEO: A job to finish for Under-21s

  • Monday, 03 September, 2012
  • Stuart Pearce, training in Norway

Stuart Pearce prepares for final two Euro 2013 Qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Norway.




Stuart Pearce wants his England Under-21s squad to finish the job they've started and reach the play-offs for Euro 2013.

Pearce's young Lions joined up on Monday at St. George's Park, The FA's new National Football Centre in Burton upon Trent, as they build up for two matches in the next week.

After a training session at SGP, they fly to Azerbaijan for their penultimate Group 8 Qualifier on Thursday afternoon sitting clear at the summit.

"We’ve put ourselves in a good position, winning five and losing just one," said Pearce. "But we want to win the group, we want the next two games and see where it takes us in the play-off draw come Friday week. But we’ve got two tough games.

"Azerbaijan, who we played in the first game in the group and beat them comprehensively, have done extremely well since then.

"They’ve beaten Iceland twice and they’ve drawn with Belgium. They’ve got a German coach there who has improved the side vastly. We’re playing on an artificial pitch as well, so it’s going to be a tough one for us."

When the Three Lions return to SGP after the game, they will then prepare for a top of the table clash against Norway at Chesterfield's Proact Stadium next Monday evening.

The Norwegians are two points behind England and also play on Thursday away against Belgium, the only side to take points off Pearce's side this campaign. But the Head Coach expect the visitors next week to go all out for victory.

"It could be all to play for against Norway when we play on Monday evening," added Pearce. "They’ll need one more win out of two games to get into the play-offs at least, and they’ll know full well if they win both games they’ll win the group.

"So it’s down to us to finish the job we’ve started."

Tickets for the 7pm kick-off at Chesterfield are priced at £10 Adults, £5 children (£0.50 per order for credit card payment applies).

Group bookings [click here to download form] can be made priced at £5 for adults and £2.50 for children, subject to availability (a £1.50 postage and packing fee applies). Charter Standard clubs can also apply for a maximum of 25 tickets [click here for CS Booking Form]. Concessions are classed as under 18s, students and over 65s.

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