DIARY: Henri Lansbury has a day around the hotel after draw with Ukraine.

Following their 0-0 draw with Ukraine in Herning on Wednesday night, it was a relaxing day back at the team base for England midfielder Henri Lansbury and he was snap happy tround the hotel... 

When I woke this morning I had a really stiff shoulder. I landed on it heavily in last night’s match and I thought I’d popped it out. Dave Galley, our physio, came on to check and tried to feel if it was dislocated, but fortunately it wasn’t so I was able to get back into the action quickly.

I thought I did pretty well when I came on against Ukraine, maybe a couple of sloppy passes, but I wanted to try and change the game and get on the ball. I wanted to try and open them up. We had chances to do that last night, but just couldn’t get the goal we wanted. I scored past Ukraine in the group game at the U19s Championship Finals two years ago, so fancied my chances again. When I had a sight on goal from about 25 yards I had a try but my shot went just wide.

A draw still leaves it in our hands and we know what’s needed. It’s like a knock-out now, three must-win games, but we always go into games wanting to win. It’s important for us and we know what we must do.

We’ve got a couple of days of important preparation to make sure we are ready for the Czechs. I’ll be trying to play a few jokes to keep the banter flying around the hotel. It’s a relatively short period of time, two and a half weeks, and we’ve come here to do a job and do it to the best of our ability. But it’s important to keep everybody’s spirits high during down-time.

Today we had some time to relax and do what we wanted. A few of the lads played golf, some went into Vejle town or to the cinema, but I was quite happy staying around the hotel. I borrowed Jamie’s camera and wandered about taking pictures of the boys and different things. I quite like photography and I might take it up. (Scroll through a selection of Henri's photos at the top of the page) 

I also interviewed Frankie for FATV. I was in the kitroom with Jon (FATV producer) when Frankie turned up with Frosty (kitman Pat Frost). You can have a look at how I get on as Michael Parkinson when it goes on TheFA.com on Friday.

I’ve been spending a bit of time with Frankie and Frosty and the kit room is a bit of a meeting and chatting point. A few of the staff even had a session watching Alan Partridge on the big screen in there the other night.

A couple of days ago I went down to the marina for some hot chocolate, they do a really special chocolate, but I can’t have too many. Maybe tomorrow though!

Before we headed Herning for the game on Wednesday we went training to practice set-plays, and the subs also did some boxes, which is a small-sided possession game.

I knew that there was a chance that I’d get on, so I made sure I had some rest in the afternoon and stayed in my room. I watched Remember the Titans – a bit of Denzel – it’s quite an inspirational and a moving story. I really get into films and take them seriously. I related it to what we’re doing here.

I had my music back on in the coach – still waiting for Rihanna to call! – and it helped pass the time to the ground, which is about an hour and a half from Kellers Park. When we got there everyone was looking forward to getting out onto the pitch, Studger (Daniel Sturridge) put his ipod on - he’s got some decent beats - and me and Welbs were getting into it as we got ready.

I think we started the game a bit slowly and didn’t get into the pockets of space in front of the back four as we wanted to. We didn’t relax as much as we should on the ball, perhaps the whistling in the crowd had an effect, but we need to block that out and play our game.

The good thing is now, we’re looking for three wins and we know what we have to do against Czech Republic in Viborg on Sunday. They are not a side I’ve played against before but I’m looking forward to it. I think with my performances so far I’ve pushed my claims for a starting place, but whatever happens – if I start or come off the bench - I’ll put in everything to get us into the semi-finals.

Getting a second-place medal two years ago for the U19s is not what I like to remember and I’ve come here to get the gold. It’s down to us as a team but I’m not ready to go home yet, we’ve come a long way to get to this stage and I want us to finish the job off in the next three matches.

Until next time,
Henri

If you have any questions for Henri or anyone within the camp you can either email editor@thefa.com or via www.twitter.com/thefadotcom

Don't forget, as well as here on TheFA.com and FATV, you can also get the latest by 'liking' England Under-21s on Facebook.