Women's U23 Head Coach wants players to gain valuable experience in La Manga.

England Women's U23s
Four Nation Tournament
England, USA, Germany, Norway
22 February - 26 February 2010
La Manga, Spain

England Women’s U23 Head Coach, Brent Hills, is currently putting the final touches to his preparations for the upcoming Four Nation Tournament, which has pitted his side against Germany, USA and Norway.

Hills will take his squad to La Manga on Friday where they will play three games in five days, the first coming against Germany on Monday. His squad is a fusion experienced U23 campaigners, former U19 internationals and a number of players who have tasted the delights of the England Women’s senior team, and the former Watford and Fulham coach believes this tournament offers the entire squad an ample opportunity to impress.

“Our opposition are all very highly-ranked teams so it’s going to be a really good test for the girls,” he said.

“This tournament is a chance for all of the players to put themselves in the shop window for the senior side, as it has done previously. If you look at Dunia Susi, she used the U23s as a springboard to get into the senior squad and she actually made her senior debut last year, so that path is obviously there for anyone.

“But it’s also an opportunity for the eligible U20s to get three games in five days, a really tough schedule, against top teams, and use that as experience for the upcoming World Cup.”

The FIFA Women’s U20 World Cup, to which Hills alludes, will take place in Germany in July and England’s participation was sealed courtesy of their performance in last year’s U19 European Championship (England do not have a dedicated Women’s U20 side). The U19s won that European title and can now test themselves against the very best U20 teams in the world.

“We’re trying to give the U20s some vital tournament experience,” explained Hills. “We learnt that from the previous World Cup in Chile, in 2008. Mo [Marley, England’s Head Coach at that World Cup] felt that the U20s needed a little more experience against quality opposition, which is why we are taking them to La Manga, to give them tournament experience against some very strong sides, which they wouldn’t otherwise get as an U20 group.”

In addition to using this tournament as preparation for the U20 World Cup, in Carly Telford, Fern Whelan, Steph Houghton, Rachel Williams and Natasha Dowie, Hills has called upon five players with senior team experience, and there is a good blend among the 18-strong squad.

“We’ve got a very mixed squad with those U20 players and some more experienced players,” said Hills. “Danni Bird has been with the U23s for a while now so she’s got some good experience. Steph Houghton’s coming back from a long-term injury so hopefully she might be able to play a part in some of the games. A few of them were with the senior squad last month for a training camp; Claire Rafferty, Carly Telford, Natasha Dowie, Ellen White and there are some younger ones; Kerys Harrop, Michelle Hinnigan, Remi Allen and Jade Moore, so really it’s a real mixed squad.”

Through playing their way through the England development teams, many of these players have encountered European opposition on a number of occasions, so facing USA could provide them with a valuable insight into playing against a non-European style of play, but in Irishman, Bill Irwin, the USA have a coach who has a very European attitude to football.

“USA have tended to be a traditionally athletic side, quite direct, playing a high-tempo game. Under Bill they still play an aggressive, high-tempo game but he’s put in place a much more European outlook in their play, trying to play through the thirds more, maybe than they have done in previous years,” said Hills.

“That also might be partly down to the influence of their Swedish coach at senior level. They will be a very, very strong side; three quarters of their squad will be signed professionally in the Women’s Premier Soccer League. But if we’re going to be challenging the best at all levels then we’re going to have to challenge them at this level as well, after all, the U23s is just one step below the senior team.”

Notable U23 graduates who are now making their mark with the senior side include Alex Scott, Anita Asante and most recently, Dunia Susi, and Hills has challenged his current crop to follow their lead.

“When someone does really well with the U23s, I’m quite confident in going back to Hope [Powell, the Women’s Senior Team Head Coach] and recommending them for the senior squad. Hopefully this tournament will be a stepping stone for as many of these players as possible.”

Squad in full