Source: Daily_Mail
England U21 2 Norway U21 0: Danny Rose and Daniel Sturridge strike for win
ShareStuart Pearce has confidently predicted that the quest of England's next generation to be crowned champions of Europe will not be compromised by fatigue.[LNB]While Pearce heard Fabio Capello voice concerns about the physical state of England's players should they qualify for Euro 2012, the mood of the Under 21s head coach was in total contrast.[LNB] Forward thinking: Daniel Sturridge celebrates his opening goal with Manchester United defender Chris Smalling[LNB] [LNB]First-half goals from Daniel Sturridge and Danny Rose secured a comfortable victory over Norway and Pearce was delighted with how preparations are progressing for his thirdcrack at the European Under 21 Championship, which kicks off in Denmarkthis weekend.[LNB]England face a difficult task negotiating a group that also contains Spain, the Czech Republic and Ukraine but Pearce is confident the rigours of a long domestic season will not catch up with his players.[LNB] Blooming marvellous: Danny Rose slips as his superb shot sails into the top-corner for the winner at St Mary's[LNB] [LNB]'We don't get tired,' he said. 'We'vegot what you call youthful enthusiasm. I come from the school of Brian Clough where the mantra always was 'we are fresher than you'.[LNB]'The players have had a decent break.The ones who have extended their season, like Scott Sinclair and Chris Smalling, have been given time to recover. When you look at the Spanish players like Mata and Bojan next week, they will probably have played more games than our boys.[LNB]'It's state of mind. If you are mentally fresh, you can convince your body to do anything. That (tiredness) won't be a problem and it's not an excuse I will ever use asa manager.'[LNB] Stuck in: Liverpool transfer target Jordan Henderson challenges Norway's Abdisalam Ibrahim for the ball[LNB] [LNB]England's form since securing their spot in Denmark has been patchy and the furore surrounding whether Jack Wilshere and Andy Carroll would make his 23-man squad has deflected fromthe fact that they had won only one of their previous six games.[LNB]This display, though, was an improvement on their last effort when losing to Iceland at Preston in March and it provided the boost Pearce was looking for ahead of Sunday'sopener against Spain in Herning.[LNB]Once Sturridge finished a move started by Liverpool target Jordan Henderson and continued by Ryan Bertrand on nine minutes, the outcome was never in doubt.[LNB] thumbs up: Under 21s boss Pearce was pleased with the performance from his players, including Muamba (R)[LNB] [LNB]That, however, said much about the shortcomings of their opponents and Pearce remained stony-faced after Rose's terrific strike just before the break ended the game as a contest.[LNB]Pearce added: 'If I wound the clock back a week and was offered time on the training pitch, a 2-0 win and noinjuries, I would have snapped your hand off. But I would have preferred a better performance.[LNB]'We have got to hit the ground running and I've seen enough on the training ground to suggest we can play a lot better. But, saying that, I am very excited.'[LNB] [LNB] [LNB]ENGLAND (4-2-3-1): Fielding 7; Mancienne 7, Smalling 7, Jones 7 (Tomkins 83min), Bertrand 7 (Gibbs 46, 6); Muamba 6 (Cork 46, 6), Henderson 8 (Lansbury 46, 6); Sturridge 7 (Delfouneso 65, 6), Rodwell 6, Rose 7 (Albrighton 46, 6); Welbeck 7 (Cleverley 46, 6).[LNB] Legend Brooking hits out as Spurs ace Crouch is latest to call it quits under CapelloWilshere insists he's just filling the gaps until Gerrard and Rooney returnYou're wrong Fabio! Terry insists tiredness not to blame for Swiss drawCrouch quits Capello's England: Swiss snub last straw for Spurs hitman [LNB] Explore more:People: Ryan Bertrand, Danny Welbeck, Fabrice Muamba, Stuart Pearce, Danny Rose, Daniel Sturridge, Fabio Capello, Andy Carroll, Jack Wilshere, James Tomkins, Jack Cork Places: Norway, United Kingdom, Denmark, Spain, Switzerland
