Youngsters humbled by visit to barracks ahead of qualifier

Stuart Pearce is hoping a trip to Colchester's Army Barracks will help inspire his England Under-21 squad to win their own battle and keep alive hopes of qualifying for the 2011 European Championships with victory over Lithuania tonight.
By The Newsroom
Published 7th Sep 2010, 10:06 BST
Updated 7th Sep 2010, 10:06 BST

Having recorded an impressive 1-0 win in Portugal on Friday, the Young Lions must now repeat that performance at the Weston Homes Community Stadium and hope other results also go their way to stay in contention for one of the four best placed runners-up spots which would put them through into the play-offs.

On Sunday, Pearce took his troops to the Merville Barracks, home of the 16 Air Assault Brigade, who are soon to be deployed to Afghanistan on a six-month operation, and got the chance to try out weapons inside the battle simulator.

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It was a humbling experience, and one from which the England coach hopes the squad can learn a great deal.

"We had a very enjoyable day, and the players were intrigued," said Pearce.

"We went in for a couple of hours and they laid on various demonstrations like the bomb disposal unit. The players went on a simulator, fired rifles and pistols. Bomb disposal outfits and parachutes were tried on.

"From the 39 people on the coach, our team co-coordinator Carol Day, the only lady on board, got the top marks, so that doesn't say much for the rest of them."

Pearce added: "With the Afghan and Iraqi situations at the moment, it was all very topical. We wanted to show our support to the Forces."

Related topics:YoungstersLithuaniaPortugal