One mascot has just legged it way from the England team and then realised he’s gone too early, sprinting back into position.
Channel 4’s coverage is so weird.A long time discussing who is not there and now showing Joe Cole and Jermain Defoe combining for a goal 20 years ago. They’ve just remembered the match kicks off in six minutes.
Ian Copestake emails:“Wishing our boys the best. Glad Morton is starting as he impressed Slot. Looks like the strongest team we can start with as Carsley took a chance to rest players like Livramento last time round.”
Can I claim this as a preview?
Lee Carsley:“We knew physically it would be a demanding tournament, so we have to make sure we get the balance right. I don’t want players getting injured because they are playing too much.
“The the last two games, we’ve started slowly. It is important we start fast with our possession and contacts.
“It is a totally different squad and team. We know whenever we play Spain, we know the will be exceptional tactically and technically.”
Peter Ohs says:“There’s been a lot of talk about England’s attack, but I get the feeling that today the spotlight will be on defence. I can hear it now, Beadle absolutely belting out the chorus to ‘Get Back’.”
In the first quarter final of the day, Netherlands defeated Portugal 1-0 despite playing for almost 70 minutes with 10 men after Ruben van Bommel was sent off for two bookable offences.He will have been the most relieved man when Ernst Poku netted a late winner.
Lee Carsley is hoping success with England Under-21 would be a great boost to the confidence of British coaches.
“It’s a great chance for us to enhance our reputation because I think that’s a big thing,” said Carsley. “We talk about British coaches getting more opportunities and, at this stage, if a British coach can go against a Spanish coach and the team can really perform well it helps not just myself but British coaches in general. I’m not sure I’m flying the flag, but it’s important when people watch the under-21s at home they’re excited by the way they’re playing.
“We want to see real attacking football, aggressive football, because you know what we’ve done in the past has got us to this position. If we’re going to win major tournaments, these are the moments where we have to step up.”
Spain (4-2-3-1):Iturbe; Pubill, Tarrega, Mosquera, Bueno; Guerra, Turrientes; Juanlu, Moleiro, Lopez; Joseph
Subs:Fraga, Cunat, Rafa Marin, Torre, Moro, Garcia, Jaureguizar, Herzog, Rodriguez, Fernandez, Pablo Marin
England (4-2-3-1):Beadle; Hinshelwood, Quansah, Cresswell, Livramento; Scott, Morton; Elliott, McAtee, Hutchinson; Stansfield
Subs:Simkin, Sharman-Lowe, Edwards, Hackney, Fellows, Anderson, Rowe, Norton-Cuffy, Gray, Egan-Riley, Iling-Junior, Nwaneri
Holders England have struggled through to this point, which is probably not ideal preparation for facing the tournament favourites Spain. Lee Carsley’s side lost to Germany’s second string last time out and do so in relatively meek fashion. They dominated possession but were impressively blunt in the final third.
There is plenty of quality at Carsley’s disposal but they are missing a No 9. Jay Stansfield made a difference against Germany and might get the nod here over Jonathan Rowe.
England beat Spain two years ago to win the competition but this is a very different squad and with key men at the Club World Cup, they are doing their best but do not give the impression of going all the way. That could all change with a dominant display here but the past week has not suggested such a thing is coming.
Kick-off 8pm BST