History will be kind to me because I intend to write it

ENGLAND UNDER-21S ADVANCE TO PLAY-OFFS AFTER SUCCESS OVER PORTUGAL

Stuart Pearce's Under-21s ensured their safe passage to the play-off stages of qualification for the European Championship by defeating their closest rivals Portugal 2-0 in their final Group three game. With England only needing a draw to progress, James Milner's penalty and Gabriel Agbonlahor's second-half strike left the visiting Portuguese dead and buried.

For many of the England youngsters it was the first time they had run out on the hallowed turf of New Wembley, and Pearce had predicted it would be an inspiration. Under the gaze of 28,000 supporters it was the visitors, however, who, in an unseasonable drizzle, started the brighter. But they would be made to pay for their profligacy.

Knowing only a win would do, the Portuguese attacked with relish and took only five minutes before testing England stopper Joe Hart. Miguel Veloso's corner found the head of Adelino Freitas but the Manchester City man instinctively clawed the ball from the goal from point-blank range, showing why senior coach Fabio Capello rates the 21-year-old so highly.

Three minutes later Ricardo Vaz Te flashed a shot over the bar as the England defense were caught napping again. On 23 minutes Bruno Gama should have done better but scuffed his shot wide. A couple of minutes later Paulo Machado had time and space to run from midfield and fizzed a shot past Hart's right post.

Only after half an hour did England start firing, and alarm bells rang for Portugal. Tottenham's Tom Huddlestone, playing in central midfield, dinked in a free-kick from deep on the left and centre back Michael Mancienne headed the ball into the side netting.

On 32 minutes Agbonlahor chased what seemed a lost cause, but the Aston Villa man out-paced then out-muscled two defenders before pulling back for Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson, who had scored in the reverse fixture which had ended 1-1. He could not be the hero this time, however, as his shot skidded wide.

After more England pressure, Machado was caught in possession in his own penalty area by Fabrice Muaba, who was charging in to collect Agbonlahor's pull-back. The midfielder could only connect with Muamba's foot, and the penalty was given.

Milner, making his record 38th appearance for the U-21s, stepped up and slotted the ball in the bottom left-hand corner, sending goalkeeper Rui Patricio the wrong way.

After the interval England started as they had left off, finding space in the middle of the pitch. The Portuguese defense did not know how to cope with the pacy Agbonlahor, and he soon got his reward. Mark Noble threaded a delightful ball for the striker to run on to, and he obliged, tucking the his finish under Patricio on 63 minutes.

The win extended England's win at U-21 level to 25 games in normal time, and completed an impressive qualifying campaign which reads: played eight, won seven, drawn one and conceded only one goal. Pearce's side will feature in a play-off game next month, but have ambitions on improving on their semi-final finish last summer, if they do play in next year's tournament in Sweden.

Labels: England Under-21s, Portugal, Stuart Pearce

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 11:05 am | Permalink | Comments

WEMBLEY WILL BE VITAL EXPERIENCE FOR U-21S - PEARCE

Stuart Pearce, the England Under-21s Head Coach, believes that playing at Wembley will help inspire his players to victory over Portugal on Friday night, in the final game of their European Championship qualifying group.

The 46-year-old, who won 78 senior international caps for England, is positive that it is important for the development of his young chargers that they gain experience of playing on the hallowed turf, as for many it will be for the first time.

The former Manchester City manager, who has been in charge of the Under-21s since February last year, said: "It is vital that the players get some experience of Wembley. We spoke at The FA many months ago about bringing the game here. It will be a fantastic experience for them.

"What we really don't want is a group of players, if any of them are lucky enough to break into the seniors, to step out for the seniors and for it to be the first time they have played at Wembley.

"So when they step out on the big stage, maybe for the seniors in months, or maybe weeks, to come it is not new to them; it doesn't daunt them - it is their home. It should be treated as a home ground. I expect my players to come here and raise their game."

Pearce has steered the Under-21s to the top of Group Three and they need only a draw to ensure a play-off game en route to the European Championship finals which will take place in Sweden in May next year. But he insists that his players will be working their socks off to be sure of the full three points against Portugal.

"We have got a nice team spirit and camaraderie in the camp and this is our home pitch and should be treated in that manner," Pearce added.

"The players like each others' company when they get together on a monthly basis.

"Our aim is winning the whole tournament, and we know what that will entail. So there won't be any relaxation from the players on Friday.

"This is another step of the way - our first aim was to get out of the group and it will be good to knock the Portuguese out, if we can, as they are a strong team."

Labels: England Under-21s, Portugal, Stuart Pearce

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 2:52 pm | Permalink | Comments

PEARCE: NO TO WEST HAM AND ANYONE ELSE

Stuart Pearce has no interest in managing West Ham, or any other Premier League club, for the moment and has taken a swipe at owners wanting instant success.

The England Under-21 head coach believes there is too little job security at club level in the current climate.

Following Alan Curbishley's resignation from West Ham on Wednesday over disagreements about the club's transfer policy, the 46-year-old former Hammer has been linked to the club.

But Pearce, whose contract with the U-21s finishes in the summer after the European Championships, said: "I manage this team and am very proud to do so.

"I will not be stepping down from this job because I love the job I do. I said to the FA bosses when I took the job that I would honour my contract.

"My players have got to know that Stuart Pearce is their manager come hell or high water till next summer, all being well."

The former Manchester City manager blasted club owners who opt for foreign managers over Englishmen.

He added: "There are a lot of fantastic English managers about and I think we knock what we've got under our own noses.

"I look at managers that I hold in high esteem and one minute they can be the most chased after people and the next minute they are out of work and unemployable.

"I find that quite sad. There has to be an open relationship between owners and managers where you sit down together as a group.

"You need to say 'What are the financial constraints we're working under as a football club? What sort of players do you need bringing in? And what ones do you need to get out?'"

Labels: England Under-21s, Premier League, Stuart Pearce, West Ham United

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 2:49 pm | Permalink | Comments

Psycho’s gamble could mean game over at City

Tuesday’s announcement that east Manchester would be the location for Britain’s first super casino makes sense; if the nearby football team is anything to go by, punters will be well up for a gamble. Manchester City’s manager, Stuart Pearce, is going all-in on the equivalent of a pair of deuces, and is set to become manager of England’s U21, dividing his time between them and City. Psycho, if appointed, is set to lose everything.



Did Peter Taylor’s poor performances at Crystal Palace and, before that, Hull City while he was in charge of the U21s go unnoticed, and the example unheeded? During Palace’s recent nadir, when they were flirting with the relegation berths of the Championship, Taylor was forced by the club directors to announce he couldn’t concentrate on two jobs. What makes Pearce think he can succeed, especially when City are in the Premiership where the stakes are vertiginously higher?

If the former England skipper – renowned more for two international penalties, one he missed and one he scored, than his management – does take on the extra responsibility, you can bet your bottom dollar it’ll be game over for him at Eastlands. It’s another hit or miss affair, but he’s more likely to sky both opportunities.

The City directors, partial to a gamble themselves judging by their recent managers – the cavalier Kevin Keegan, and Joe Royle spring to mind – have tried to stand in the way of Pearce. In particular Alistair Mackintosh, the chief executive, has been in heated discussions with Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA’s youth development head honcho. Even if Pearce’s mooted appointment is blocked, what is worrying for City fans is that he is very seriously considering it.

If Pearce does take the U21 job what does he expect to gain? Experience, he says. Knowledge of the best young players in England and in Europe, he says. One glance at the previous managers and one can tell they are hardly high rollers. Over the last 10 years Taylor, David Platt, Howard Wilkinson and Peter Reid have all sunk into oblivion after their individual stints with the U21s.

Of those four only Taylor remains in management, and that’s only by the slenderest of threads. Even Platt, now a pundit, opined that his former England team mate would be unable to juggle his jobs. “He’ll fall between two stools,” Platt said, and for once he might be right.

Do these underachieving managers take on the job of U21 manager because they have a better chance to win things with the U21s than with their clubs? Is it because they have a constant batch of good talents, as opposed to their club sides who have been ruined by ill judged transfers?

One thing’s for certain: if Psycho does take the U21 job it’ll mean another trophy-less season for the City fans. And why, in spite of the huge stadium, excellent facilities and a fertile academy, is it going wrong for Pearce, who has been at the helm for the best part of two years now?

In his first foray into management Pearce won only seven out of 23 games. Granted that was for Nottingham Forest in a player-manager capacity in the 1996/7 Premiership, a season in which his team finished glued to the bottom of the Premiership; and granted Pearce was then managing with water wings, yet to complete the relevant coaching badges.

The fact remains that in his second, and current job – with coaching badges and all – his win rate remains similarly below par: 30 victories in 81 games (and 34 losses). Why hasn’t Peace learned? Why does Middlesbrough’s Gareth Southgate, for example, totally green to management, have a better win ratio?

A simple look at the goals scored column goes some way to answering this quandary. ‘Boro have so far scored 18 goals at the Riverside this season, which is just one less than City have managed both home and away. Alarmingly only two sides currently occupying relegation berths – Watford (14) and West Ham (18) – have scored fewer goals than Pearce’s team, and Charlton, sandwiched between the two, are on a par with 19. It’s fair to say the bottom sides have had a disastrous season thus far.

Pearce’s signings have been dubious. Georgios Samaras was a big gamble for £6m, a ‘rough diamond’ said Pearce. He’s far from the polished article. Along with Pearce’s other attacking signings – Darius Vassell, Bernardo Corradi and Paul Dickov – Samaras has failed to deliver the City faithful what they deserve. Indeed, at present the fulcrum of City’s attacking options is 18-year-old Stephen Ireland, who joined as a trainee.

The main reason why City are not further down the Premiership table is down to their defence. Pearce, a hard defender as a player, has imbued his guarding style upon his team. Would England’s young hopefuls be best served by a manager who is so adept at defensive tactics? Were City to lose stalwart Sylvain Distin, as is expected in the summer, along perhaps with their heartbeat - Joey Barton - the finger will be pointed solely at Pearce when his team sink.

For Psycho to take on the duel responsibility of the U21s and City it would be his biggest gamble so far, and one that he is unlikely to recover from. He should stick with what he’s got, to try and galvanise City, if only to justify the faith the directors and fans alike have invested in him.

Labels: Manchester City, Stuart Pearce, Supercasino

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 2:50 am | Permalink | Comments

Manchester City - 2006/7 season prediction (for The Observer)

Prospects do not look good at the City of Manchester Stadium, but when have they in recent memory? For all his animated gesticulation, Stuart Pearce appears less than canny in the transfer market. Last season’s loaned players and has-beens, who cruised after Europe galloped out of sight, have been replaced by more cheap, spent forces in the form of Paul Dickov, Dietmar Hamann and Ousmane Dabo.

Options are paper thin in defence. David James has left, and with the classy Sylvain Distin relinquishing the captain’s armband and Newcastle sniffing around, 18-year-old Micah Richards could be moved to centre back. Pearce would do well to secure 6’7” goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson’s services, and Tunisian Hatem Trabelsi could prove a great signing. Richard Dunne, the appointed captain, will offer guts and graft, and in many ways he personifies Pearce’s team ethic.

Up front Georgios Samaras will look to flourish alongside Italian signing Bernardo Corradi, or 34-year-old Andrew Cole. However, unless Stephen Ireland is afforded a pivotal role, or Pearce brings someone creative in, the forwards will have little to work with.

Pearce’s pre-season talk of Europe is Keegan-esque, and after Chelsea and Arsenal in the first three games, a more realistic tone could be set for the season. Fans can expect another roller coaster ride, and (hopefully) a mid-table finish. For now, the City of Manchester Stadium will continue to be famed for its architecture rather than its football.

Labels: football, Manchester City, Stuart Pearce

Posted by Oliver Pickup at 12:58 pm | Permalink | Comments