We have no fear
by Jamie Bradbury in Denmark
Saturday, 11 June, 2011
James Tomkins says England will focus on their strengths against Spain.
Watch the FATV interview with James Tomkins here
James Tomkins believes England will have no fear when they face tournament favourites Spain in their opening game of the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Herning on Sunday night.
Spain's senior team are current World and European Champions, while Barcelona lifted the Champions League last month to highlight a great period in Spanish football. Many observers expect this success to filter throughout their teams, but the West Ham United defender says that the Three Lions will be focused on their own strengths.
"You hear a lot about the Spanish team and their style of football but we've got our own style and we'll play to our strengths.," Tomkins told FATV. "We'll don't want to think too much about how good they are, we're technically good ourselves and a match for anyone.
"We're going to concentrate on ourselves, relax and play the way we can play. We've watched a few clips of Spain and have trained to try and counteract their strengths that they have. We've been working hard in training and I think our strengths are going to become more of an importance when it comes to Sunday."
Tomkins, who appeared in the UEFA Under-21 Championship in Sweden two years ago, added: "We've shown in previous games that our attacking play is very good, as well as our defence, and it's going to be very important and with the physical presence we'll have in the box it could be a key area.
"With the team that we've got and the amount of experience we have, I think they should fear us a little. We won't fear anyone in the games that we play, We'll concentrate our on our own strengths and see where that takes us.
"We want to show everyone there's a bright future in English football."
Watch the FATV interview with James Tomkins here
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