EURO u-21 in Netherlands

I still remember that lol it was a great match, Shearer & Teddy ripped them apart.

yeah 2 goals each for the SAS, thats probably the last time England actually played good attacking football

I personally think the outcome would of been different in this competition if we had Theo, Bentley & Agbonlahor. Then again the under 21 team could teach the first team a lesson or two about penalties.

It does annoy me that we dont send the best side available, we could have had a first team of:

------------------Carson--------------------

-Richards---Davies------Taylor------Baines---

-Lennon----Bentley---Reo-Coker---Downing--

------------Rooney---Darren Bent------------

I am certain that that side could have won the tournament quite comfortably. If we actually sent the best side and had them win the tournament it would give them a massive confidence boost for their careers to know they can compete with and beat their European contemparies. In 5 years time when they play them in senior tournaments they would be able to look back and know they have beaten them already, psychologically that would be potentially crucial.

All in all, its kind if sad for European football but...we can all just sit back and enjoy watching the Brazilians play their magic with the ball...

Originally Posted by Stezagud

I am certain that that side could have won the tournament quite comfortably. If we actually sent the best side and had them win the tournament it would give them a massive confidence boost for their careers to know they can compete with and beat their European contemparies. In 5 years time when they play them in senior tournaments they would be able to look back and know they have beaten them already, psychologically that would be potentially crucial.

I just get the impression that Pearce sometimes doesn't know the slightest bit about coaching. Thats a good valid point you have there, however could you honestly see players like Rooney saying yes for this tournament? It does depend on the players and how much motivation they have when wearing the England jersey, not players like Bentley who couldn't care less.

The team you put out I think would of easily won the competition because players like Rooney & Lennon have first team experience. Also im sure in the years to come if these teams played again the opposition would know this team is not easy to beat.

I just get the impression that Pearce sometimes doesn't know the slightest bit about coaching.

very true, he is pure motivation. He is a bit like having your dad watching while you play, you listen to him and want to do well even if all the advice he's giving is totally useless

Thats a good valid point you have there, however could you honestly see players like Rooney saying yes for this tournament? It does depend on the players and how much motivation they have when wearing the England jersey, not players like Bentley who couldn't care less.

The team you put out I think would of easily won the competition because players like Rooney & Lennon have first team experience. Also im sure in the years to come if these teams played again the opposition would know this team is not easy to beat.

It is unrealistic to expect Rooney to play, but situations like that are the reason we will most likely never win anything in our lifetimes. Babel is a full international for Holland, Nani is for Portugal and yet they are put in the U-21s to give their sides the best possible chance of winning this tournament. Pirlo had a rediculous amount of U-21 caps, 46 i think because Italy too know the value of giving this sort of experience to their future internationals.

Its no coincidence that Italy won the world cup this year after winning 5 of the last 7 U-21 championships. England could have beaten them in a few of those tournaments but backthen as now, Italy sent the best they had and England let the likes of Gerrard, Owen, Rio Ferdinand, Scholes, Joe and Ashley Cole, Neville etc all bypass that level....

Originally Posted by Stezagud

we were screwed then too, the qualifier vs Holland in particular. David Platt went through on goal only to be blatantly fouled by the last man Koeman, the ref unbelievably gave him only a yellow instead of the obligatory red card and minutes after it to add further insult Koeman scored a freekick to put England out!

Although England was outplayed by Belgium in 1990, only to go through with a David Platt goal in the 119th minute

Actually it was rope a dope, we just let you think you were containing us

Anyway, Platts volley was expertly taken, a goal worthy of winning any game. Belgium cant complain about that goal because there was nothing wrong with it whereas there was plenty wrong with Koeman scoring a goal minutes after he shouldve been sent off!