Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
THE PROWSE THAT ROARED
This time more than any other time, we’ll get it right says skipper
JAMES WARD-PROWSE has urged England not to let history repeat itself as the Under-21s face the agony of another early exit. The Southampton midfielder is driven by memories of a humiliating group-stage exit in the Czech Republic two years ago. And England are on the brink again ahead of tonight’s game against Slovakia. With only the three group winners and the best runners-up progressing to the semi-finals, it is a must-win game for Aidy Boothroyd’s men. Senior boss Gareth Southgate, who was U-21 boss for the qualifying stages, has been around the camp dishing out advice and monitoring training. But England U-21s have won only one of their last 10 group games at Euro finals and scored just five times. Ward-prowse (below, left, with team-mates Jordan Pickford and Alfie Mawson) said: “It is not a nice feeling when you don’t reach the level that you should – the team two years ago should have gone further. “That gives us an incentive to put things right. It was a massive disappointment but we’re lucky enough that we get another chance.” England need to find a cutting edge – opponents are piling 10 men behind the ball and leaving little space in danger areas. Leicester star Demarai Gray is set for a recall to the starting XI, and Boothroyd could look for more guile in midfield. Skipper Ward-prowse bridles at accusations that the Young Lions lack the bottle for tournament football. He replied: “Not at all. You come up against quality opposition with good players. You have a long process of getting to this stage and you don’t want to waste that opportunity. We have to make sure that when we cross the white line we give everything. “We have got a team full of top-quality players who have had great individual seasons and we want to be successful.” Southgate’s presence should be an inspiration for players wanting to make a late bid for the World Cup squad in Russia, where Southgate heads this week to scout for a base. Ward-prowse said: “It was great to see him here, to show us there is a pathway for young English players. “It is time for us to show him what we can do individually and as a team.” On the domestic front Ward-prowse is facing upheaval with the sacking last week of club boss Claude Puel. He said: “It seems to happen every summer but that is the way football is sometimes. “Claude was very good to me. He gave me lots of opportunities and I got into the England squad while playing under him. I have got nothing but thanks for him.”