Fielding delight at first start
Wednesday, 11 August, 2010
Blackburn keeper pleased with clean sheet on his full debut.
Jamie Bradbury
Click here to watch highlights of the match
Frank Fielding made his first start for England Under-21s on Tuesday night and was pleased to pull on the Three Lions for the first time in a year.
The Blackburn Rovers stopper has had to make do with a place on the bench for the most of the last campaign, and has made only two appearances as a sub, but with regular number one Scott Loach missing he was pleased with the chance.
He also had the opportunity to show Fabio Capello what he can do as the England Manager turned up at Bristol City to watch the Young Lions defeat Uzbekistan by two goals to nil in their first game of the new season.
However, it was a largely one-sided encounter with Fielding rarely called upon. Nonetheless, he was delighted to claim a clean sheet in his full debut for Pearce's men.
"I enjoyed the chance to play and it was nice getting my first half. We didn't concede so that's something you always look for as a keeper. All the family was down to watch, I enjoyed the start and it was really good to get the clean sheet," said Fielding.
"I didn't have much to do but it was a good performance from the lads and Uzbekistan weren't a bad side.
"It was this time last year that I last played against Holland and I've watched most of the games from the bench since, so I was delighted to have a chance to play tonight."
Fielding's was replaced late on to give Reading goalkeeper Alex McCarthy his first cap, too.
"It was good for Alex. He's deserved his chance and has come along to all the games and not even sat on the bench. His attitude is fantastic," continued Fielding.
"I think it was the best performance we've had for ages, we zipped the ball around and I thought we were class tonight.
"If we play like that we'll beat anyone and the gaffer said the next two games are important but if we play like that we'll be fine. Jack Rodwell was excellent, Danny Rose too, but all the lads were great. We put it all together as a team and it worked.
"The gaffer told all the lads that Mr Capello was watching so there was an opportunity for us and it was ours to take. He has said there is always that pathway if you play well."
Fielding says he's also finding it hard to believe that he'll be on the bench for England at Wembley on Wednesday night.
Following the injury to senior stopper Ben Foster, Fielding and Under-21s team mate Loach, who was in action for Watford in the League Cup, have joined up with Capello's men as cover for the meeting with Hungary.
Both young 'keepers have been to Wembley previously, Loach was in goal for the Under-21s in a match against Portugal last year, while Fielding was on the bench that day - his only visit to the national stadium.
Fielding, who was on loan at Rochdale last year helping them win promotion to League One, was surprised when Stuart Pearce told him about the senior call earlier this week.
"He spoke to me monday afternoon and told me that I've been asked to go along with the seniors," explained the 22-year-old Lancashire-born goalkeeper.
"I couldn't quite believe it to be honest, but I'm going to go there and enjoy it and try to do the best I can. I don't think it's really hit home to be honest."
He added: "I know Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs are there and it'll be a great experience for me and Scott and hopefully we can bring something back to the Under-21s.
"The only time I've been to Wembley was when we had the game against Portugal last year, so it'll be exciting to return with the seniors."
You can follow all the latest from the England Under-21s here on TheFA.com, on the team's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/EnglandU21s), or on Twitter (www.twitter.com/thefadotcom).