Stuart Pearce and his Under-21 side booked themselves a favourable draw for the Euro2013 playoffs on Friday, despite the lack of starlets such as Oxlade-Chamberlain, Butland, and Kyle Walker, who have all been on full England duty.
Connor Wickham, who had been nearly a year since his last goal, was almost forgetting what it was like to be a striker, before scoring from around 6 yards just before half time.
Four forced changes for Stuart Pearce were hardly noticeable, as the Three Lions bossed the game from the off, with Martyn Waghorn, one of the new additions to the team, was unlucky not to put them ahead after just six minutes.
A loss would’ve meant a possible draw against the likes of Spain or Germany, who are just as clinical at this level as they are at full international duty, so Pearce would be sighing with relief after this tight victory.
Hodgson likes to ruffle some feathers, and after calling up Raheem Sterling for full duty from Liverpool this week, he certainly isn’t afraid to make a big decision. Whilst Pearce will be hoping the former West Bromwich manager is willing to part with a few of his stars, so that the Under 21 squad can go into Euro2013 with all the chances of winning it.
However, don’t be surprised if he does stop them, as Hodgson will want no distractions and injuries ahead of the rest of the World Cup qualifiers in 2013.
With seven wins from eight games in qualifiers though, Pearce has a great squad at his disposal, and with his own contract running out next year, he will certainly be keen to have a decent tournament.
Brad Smith