Pearce: 'We had chances'
Saturday, 13 October, 2012
Stuart Pearce believes his team could have been more clinical against Serbia
Stuart Pearce believes his Under-21s side will create chances when they face Serbia in the away leg of their Euro 2013 Qualifier on Tuesday.
A 1-0 victory has given England something to project when they go on their travels for the return on Tuesday.
However, the Three Lions Coach says he hopes his team can take advantage of the goal scoring opportunities that might come their way after they scored one from eleven efforts at Carrow Road on Friday.
West Brom defender Craig Dawson was the man who gave England the advantage to take to Krusevac, emphatically finishing a second half penalty for his fifth goal for the Under-21s.
"I'm pleased to have kept a clean sheet and won the game that is for sure, but I'm a little bit disappointed that we haven't been a touch more clinical in front of goal.
"Tonight has demonstrated to me the fact we can create chances away from home, we will have to take them because we might have to score on the road to go through in the tie.
"But Serbia have got to come out and play against us so it is all to play for as we thought it would be."
And, although they have the advantage Pearce will not expect his team to sit back and defend for 90 minutes of the second leg.
He feels, after Friday night’s performance, his players are good enough to go out and make it difficult for the Serbians on their home soil.
"I think we will try and win the game - we set up England teams, certainly at this level, to win every game and I think we will do the same again," he said.
"We won't be gung-ho but we certainly feel we have enough ability in our team and I think we showed that on occasions, we have got enough ability to win the game again on Tuesday.
"We know it is going to be a tough ask for us because they will try to make it unpleasant for us, I'm sure. And rightly so.
"The stakes are pretty high and both sets of players want to go to the finals next summer."
However, there was one injury concern for England as Manchester City midfielder Jack Rodwell came off at half-time with hamstring trouble.
"His hamstring tightened up so we will see how it settles down overnight before we make any judgement on him,” said Pearce.
"We didn't want to take a chance for club or country so we will see how he settles down and if he is not right he will not travel with us."