'We have the strongest squad'
Monday, 22 June, 2009
Under-21 Head Coach delighted with his 23-man squad.
Julian Bennetts
England Under-21 Head Coach Stuart Pearce says his squad is the best in the European Championship after he made ten changes to his side and still saw them hold Germany 1-1 in Halmstad.
Jack Rodwell equalised for Pearce’s side as The Three Lions advanced to the semi-final with an impressive two victories and a draw from their three Group B games.
And Pearce was adamant his team will fear no-one in the last four and believes they are well placed to be crowned the best in Europe.
"I wouldn’t swap my squad of players for any other nations’ in Europe," said Pearce, whose side could still face any side in Group A, with those final round of games happening on Tuesday.
"Winning the European Championship was the plan two years ago, and nothing has changed my mind now.
"We’ve knocked 50-dd teams out of this competition and there are only four of us left [after the final round of Group A games].
"If we don’t focus from game to game we’ll go home, and if we give a good account of ourselves, play to the best of our ability and all the players contribute from one to 23, we’ll have half a chance.
"We’ve got no injuries, got a good spirit among the group and we’re going to work hard to win the semi-final."