Pearce ready for Ukraine test
Wally Downes
Tuesday, 14 June, 2011
Head Coach still to decide on line-up to face Ukraine.
Click here to watch the FATV video from Tuesday's press conference
Stuart Pearce hailed his young charges ahead of England's clash with Ukraine at the Under-21 Championship in Denmark on Wednesday.
Pearce has a promising pool of young talent and says he will have no problem in picking a starting eleven and a capable captain.
"I've got a lot of choices for captains in this squad, which is great when you bear in mind that we have the youngest squad in the tournament," said Pearce.
"We only have three 1988 birthdays, we have ten that can play again in the next campaign so we have a really young nucleus that have to be nurtured and given their chance and supported and that is my job.
"My job is to make sure we have a winning mentality within the group and our players come away from this tournament at the end of it having experienced tournament football and hopefully learnt something while improving as players."
Fabio Capello's presence at the tournament has given the players a huge boost after their hard-fought draw with Spain on Sunday, according to Pearce.
"There were spells when we played some decent football and we need to do that more and have looked at that as a group," he added.
"I think the main thing about Mr. Capello being there is that when the players walk into a room and see the England Senior Manager there it gives them a big lift. I make it my job to get to the U19s, U17s and U16s so they see there is that sign of progression and people are taking an interest."
The game against a tough Ukraine side will give a strong sign as to whether England are likely to progress from the group and the signs are the preparations are going well.
"We will decide on our team and from that we will spring a captain it's as simple as that," explained Pearce.
"The preparation will be the same for me, the players will know what the team is, we have worked on one or two tactical things but we have done that as a squad of 22 so I don't know the 11 at this time.
"Whoever plays will do us proud and whoever captains us will do the same."
Click here to watch the FATV video from Tuesday's press conference