THREE LIONS SET TO ROAR
Fairclough urges fans to support his troops as Slovakia visit...
ALMOST READY: Alex Woodyard in training as England C prepare to take on Slovakia this afternoon
PAUL FAIRCLOUGH wants England C to show the senior team just how to go about beating Slovakia – and hopes English football fans come out in force to see the stars of tomorrow. Roy Hodgson and his Euro hopefuls take on the Slovakians in France later this month as they bid to end fifty years of hurt. But for Fairclough’s men it’s about beating a talented U21 side to guarantee their place in the International Challenge Trophy final. The C boss travelled to Poprad on Tuesday and saw today’s opponents drop points against Ukraine, who England C beat last time out in their opening game of the four-man group. With Non-League’s Three Lions sitting on three points, they could book a top two finish with another win. But Fairclough – whose side lost 1-0 to Slovakia in the most recent ICT tournament – has warned it won’t be easy. “I didn’t expect Slovakia to only come out of the Ukraine game with a draw,” Fairclough, who replaced Grimsby’s Omar Bogle with Maidstone’s Dan Sweeney in the squad, told The NLP. “I think they expected to win too, so it’s set the cat among the pigeons as they say. “They come to us knowing they need to beat us but if we can carve a win out of it that would put us into the final. It will be a difficult task. They are a good side. “Sometimes you don’t always get the rewards you deserve and they probably deserved to win that game the other night – that’s football.
“It was good to go out to the game. We all like to see the opposition if we can – preparation is key. I’m not saying I’ve found the magic formula but it gives me an idea of the style, what to expect, the shape – which I wouldn’t imagine will change much – so it was a good opportunity to go to the game.
“Slovakia are moving forward with their football.The stadium we played in two years ago has now developed into a fine big stadium, and the football on the pitch is improving. They do things the right way through the schools.
“The full national team beat the world champions Germany last week, England have got to play them in the Euros and that’s not going to be easy.
“We’ve got an opportunity to show Roy the way, so to speak.We hope we can. We’ve got a really committed group of players for this game.”
That is typified by midfielder John Goddard, who was adamant he would still play despite sealing a move from Woking to League One Swindon Town last month.
The incentive is great. More than 200 players capped by England C have gone on to play in the Football League.
Just three years ago Burnley’s Andre Gray and Hull midfielder Sam Clucas played in Bermuda and both will play next season in the Premier League.
With entry to the game free, Fairclough is hoping the chance to see some of Non-League’s brightest talents up close will get Non-League fans along to Sutton’s Gander Green Lane.
“While the lads are all keen to play for their country, they all understand it’s a showcase,” Fairclough said. “Quite a few of them will have family here, but there will also be scouts here, and there will be players out of contract looking to impress to get new contracts.
“We’re hoping we’ll have a good crowd. It’s a chance for youngsters and adults to come and see an England representative game.The scene is set.It’s a mouth-watering opportunity for people to see a game.
“It’s a great chance for people to come out to Sutton and see players who will be big name players eventually.”