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EUROPEAN UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIPS, GROUP B: VIBORG STADIUM, SUNDAY JUNE 19, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1945 BSTFor Stuart Pearce and his England under-21 squad the task ahead is crystal clear: beat the Czech Republic, the team ahead of them in the table, and they will qualify from Group B. Any other result and they must leave Denmark - and so far they haven't exactly looked like potential tournament winners.
True, Danny Welbeck's late equaliser against Spain meant England had made a decent start but the 0-0 draw with Ukraine that followed was frustrating. The Czechs can progress with a draw so might take their respective feet off the proverbial pedal but England know they can rely only upon themselves for this one.
The Ukraine draw was Pearce's 50th fixture in charge of England's under-21 side and he was confident the adventure in Denmark was not destined to end after just three games.
"The boys in training have forced one or two places up for grabs and the players that have come in have done themselves no harm whatsoever," he said. "I said to the lads that we have played against two really tough teams and conceded just a single goal from a set-piece so that side of the game has been good.
"We just need to create a few more clear-cut chances because we have the ability to score goals."
Key match-up: Michael Mancienne v Borek Dockal. Captain Mancienne was criticised for his performance against Spain as a defensive midfielder but kept his place in the next game, with the more attacking Tom Cleverley making way for Jack Rodwell instead. Dockal, the Czech skipper, bagged two from midfield against Ukraine so this will be a big test for the ex-Chelsea man.
Form guide: Having drawn their first two games, England are both unbeaten and searching for their first win. The Czechs - who were unbeaten in qualification - lost to Spain but had beaten Ukraine, hence their point advantage.
Odds: England evens, Czech Republic 13/5, draw 5/2
ENGLAND:
Defender Phil Jones, who will join his new Manchester United team-mates after the tournament following his switch from Blackburn, was confident the goals would soon start to flow while he and centre-back partner Chris Smalling keep it tight at the back.
"We shouldn't have conceded any - even Spain's goal was a sloppy one - so we're happy; we know what we're good at," he told uefa.com. "If we could just get that goal ourselves, get a few goals in the next games, it would push us on in the tournament. If we move the ball a bit quicker, and I know we can, I'm sure the goals will come."
The Czechs are regarded as potential winners of the tournament, as Jones conceded. "The Czechs are another good team," he said. "We knew coming into the tournament we were in a tough group. We will prepare in training and we will be ready."
Strategy: Pearce has the option of pepping up his side's attacking capabilities by giving Arsenal's Henri Lansbury a place in the starting line-up, with the midfielder having enhanced his reputation as a midfielder who can create and convert opportunities, during a loan spell at Norwich."I think with my performances so far I've pushed my claims for a starting place but whatever happens - if I start or come off the bench - I'll put in everything to get us into the semi-finals," he said.
"I thought I did pretty well when I came on against Ukraine, maybe a couple of sloppy passes, but I wanted to try and change the game and get on the ball. I wanted to try and open them up. We had chances to do that, but just couldn't get the goal we wanted."
Lansbury has progressed through the England ranks and was keen to go all the way in Denmark.
"Getting a second-place medal two years ago for the under-19s is not what I like to remember and I've come here to get the gold," he said. "It's down to us as a team but I'm not ready to go home yet, we've come a long way to get to this stage and I want us to finish the job off in the next three matches.
"A draw still leaves it in our hands and we know what's needed. It's like a knock-out now, three must-win games, but we always go into games wanting to win. It's important for us and we know what we must do. We've had a couple of days of important preparation to make sure we are ready for the Czechs. The good thing is now, we're looking for three wins and we know what we have to do against Czech Republic."
Injury update: No new injury worries have been reported.
CZECH REPUBLIC:
The Czechs, who have ex-Tottenham striker Tomas Pekhart in their ranks, are determined to reach the final and in the process qualify for next summer's Olympics.
"That's the most important thing for us," said Pekhart, who never made a first team appearance for Spurs but did enjoy a loan spell at Southampton before returning to his homeland and is now about to try his luck in Germany with Nuremburg. "If we managed to do that, it would be fantastic. It would be a dream to play in the Olympics in London in the best stadiums in the world. We have a strong team, but in a tournament like this, you also need to be lucky.
"Czech teams always play well as a team. We don't have many star players. We play together, and it brings us good results," he said. "We're like a big family. That always helps on the pitch. We hope that will continue in this tournament."
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/06/18/england-under-21s-v-czech-rep-under-21s-lansbury-is-ready-fo/
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