Barkley will have to wait until Pearce is gone. Next campaign the likes of Henderson and Lowe won't be eligible. It's annoying, just like going into the last finals Pearce wouldn't select McEachran either.
No, I get the idea fella (much as un-Pearce like it is) but not sure it's the best use of Zaha in this squad. He struggled the previous game in that role and Romania were so poor that it's hard to take anything away from the game. Is Shaw not in this squad?
I'm not so sure that the progressive possession based play is as "un-Pearce-like" as people think. We saw with Team GB that given the freedom and the right players he'll set up like that given the choice. I'm starting to think that perhaps the reason he hasn't done in the past with the U21's is because there has been so much pressure on him to get them tournament experience that he's felt like he's had to be perpetually pragmatic when it comes to results, and didn't feel like he had the players to do it before now. Then again, it's a shift we've seen at senior and U19 level too, so perhaps it's the new "Future Game" ethos at St. George's Park that's driving it all. Either way, a welcome change.
Pearce had a midfield of Cleverley and Wilshere and decided to put them both in wider roles and spend a whole game booting the ball from defence up to Carroll. Infact Cleverley never played centrally for England U21's. Can't think how he could deem he never had the players before but then he did say his best team ever was the team that made the final against Germany that he set up to sit and counter. So he never seemed to equate style with the quality of player available.
#EnglandU21s XI v Austria: Steele, Wisdom, Dawson, Lees, Rose, Chalobah, Lowe, Townsend, Shelvey, Sterling, Wickham. No Carroll or McEachran
Looks like it - #EnglandU21s Subs v Austria: A Smith, Butland, Robinson, Clyne, Keane, Henderson, McEachran, Delfouneso, Sordell
Zaha is having dental work so he can't make it for this game. Pearce better atleast give McEachran a half.
Tom Carroll also on the bench here - https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BGOXo-CCUAUOVm8.jpg:large How is Tom Carroll supposed to get an opportunity to make the U21 final squad if he doesn't get a start. Shelvey and Lowe started loads. Same with not giving Michael Keane a start? Dawson played loads at U21 level. No logic to it at all imo.
Don't think he'll pick these guys anyway unless he has too for the Euros. Will stick with his tried and tested. Btw, Will Keane has travelled with the United U19 squad to the Dallas Cup to continue his rehabilitation even though he isn't eligible. Has started doing light ball work now and was sitting with his football boots on during the 1st game on the sidelines. Might make it back towards the end of the season.
Austrian keeper sent off on 36 mins ball played over the top and he handled the ball outside the area may have been a touch harsh fk on the edge of the box
Rather fortunate to be against 10 now and with a goal advantage! will this allow Pearce to be a little bit more experimental?! what about adding another ball player or maybe two to the centre and dominate? Carroll and McEachran ? and give Keane a chance ? ahh well probably not !
ref does know it is a friendly right? Pearce should use this as a training session now. Very little to take from this game at this stage.