Source: Daily_Mail
England U21 1 Portugal U21 0: From non-League to England is no Small feat
Chris Smalling was playing for non-league Maidstone last year but England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce threw him into his starting line-up for the first time on Saturday and hailed the defender's 'meteoric' rise.[LNB]Pearce knows all about a 'meteoric rise' himself. When he was a player himself, he began his career at non-league Wealdstone before being signed by top-flight club Coventry - and then by legendary manager Brian Clough for Nottingham Forest.[LNB]Fulham defender Smalling, 19, performed well in the Under-21s important qualifier against Portugal at Wembley, won 1-0 by England. Smalling, a brilliant find by Fulham manager Roy Hodgson last summer, can now be expected to go on to bigger things according to Pearce.[LNB] Young Lions: England, with Smalling (number 6) observe a minutes silence before the match with Portugal[LNB]The England Under-21 boss said: 'Smalling and [Micah] Richards were quick and aggressive in their defending. I've heard great things about Smalling. [LNB]'Every day in training, he's impressed me. I've been thinking, "I've got to get this kid a game." Every day, he has impressed me. He certainly took his chance.[LNB]'With Hangeland and Hughes, Fulham have got two top defenders. But Smalling will improve. The experience he gets with us will help him. [LNB]'Not too long ago, he was a non-league player. He's the sort of kid who listens and he is very bright. It's a meteoric rise.' [LNB] Smalling, who signed a three-year contract with Fulham, made his debut for the club on the final day of last season - as a late substitute against Everton. In September, he played against CSKA Sofia in the Europa League.[LNB]Meteoric rise: Pearce himself rose quickly from non-League to the professional game[LNB]Smalling's Under-21s defensive partner Richards has hit out at Fabio Capello for snubbing him from the first-team squad. But Pearce admitted: 'Fabio never even mentioned it to me. The importance of leaving him with me was high. This age group has to be successful.[LNB]'But everyone on the pitch should have qualifying and winning the European Championships in 2011 - and winning senior caps - on their minds. They know I speak to Fabio and tell him who's doing well. The whole idea of the Under-21s squad is to fee players into the seniors.'[LNB]Speaking about the team's display against Portugal, Pearce added: 'It was a good, professional performance. I was pleased with the clean sheet. We looked very bright on the break. We've got some pace in the side that hurt them.[LNB]'The difficulty of Under-21s football is reflected by the fact that Italy and Portugal have both dropped eight points already. Italy might not qualify. Portugal have got it all to do. So it's not easy. Technically, Portugal were a very good side.'[LNB] England U21 1 Portugal U21 0: Micah Richards hits out at Capello snubBrazil 1 England 0: Fabio Capello watches his patched-up side wilt in the desert heatEngland U21 1 Portugal U21 0: Tottenham's Danny Rose bloomsCaptain Rooney: Manchester United star Wayne will skipper England after John Terry ruled out for Brazil clashALL THE FULHAM FC
