Getting better all the time
Alex Shaw
Thursday, 25 June, 2009
Stuart Pearce feels his team are still improving ahead of the semi-final.
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Stuart Pearce has sent an ominous warning to Sweden ahead of England's Euro 2009 Semi Final clash: 'We are going to get better'.
Pearce's young Three Lions made it to the last four as Group B winners but the England Head Coach reckons there is more to come from his side.
"There is more to come from all our players," said Pearce. "All 23 players can improve and that starts every morning when they go to training.
"I think we will get better as the time goes on."
It has been a gruelling campaign for England and Pearce is delighted to have a fully fit squad to choose from as his side attempt to make up for the heartbreak of two years ago.
"The only thing you can ask for is to have 23 players fit and available," he added.
"We have got 23 players fit and fighting for a place in the team and to have everyone vying for a position is vital. Everyone has fought a tough battle to get here - anyone can win this."
Sweden qualified for the Under-21 tournament as hosts but Pearce has warned his team they are there on merit and have the quality to pose problems.
"Sweden are the hosts but the friendlies they played before the tournament were against the top sides. They did not pick or choose their friendlies, they played tough opposition and did well.
"They have improved as the tournament has gone on and we are going to have to respect them.
Euro 2007 will live long in the memory for England's painful penalty shoot-out exit to the Netherlands in the Semi Final but this time around, Pearce is confident his side can lay the ghost of two years ago to rest.
"There are no guarantees in shoot-outs," he added. "But we have practised penalties for two years [since the Netherlands defeat].
"I have to make them aware of penalties. It would be folly not to do so - I have gone out of three major tournaments on shoot-outs.
"We like to think things through thoroughly and after this tournament we will practise them again."
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