Taylor is sure star pupils will pass their French test

GI V E N t h e conveyor belt of talent that has graduated from Peter Taylor’s finishing school, perhaps it is little wonder Sven Goran Eriksson regards him as a potential successor.

Cruelly cast adrift by Howard Wilkinson under his sweeping technical reforms six years ago, Taylor’s return to the international arena last summer coincided with an upsurge in results for England’s Under 21 team.

First time around, Taylor presided over a 23-match run that included just three defeats. Of more consequence, it confirmed the arrival of Michael Owen, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand.

While that trio now have loftier ambitions, the next generation will audition in front of a capacity crowd at White Hart Lane against France tonight. They are two of 16 teams playing off for the right to play in next summer’s European Championships. Taylor will pit his tactical wits against a French team regarded as one of the most adroit young sides in world football and groomed at their fabled football academy in Clairefontaine.

Peppered with Premiership and Champions League experience, their squad includes the likes of Arsenal defender Gael Clichy, Liverpool striker Florent Sinama Pongolle and Chelsea’s coveted colt Lassana Diarra.

It promises to be a stiff test and although England cantered through their qualifying group, Taylor is grooming his young team for an assault on a tournament they last won 25 years ago.

Preparations for the two-legged play- off — the return is in Nancy on Tuesday evening — have mirrored those of the pampered professionals in the senior squad. They have been staying in the luxurious surroundings of the Sopwell House Hotel in St Albans this week and have borrowed the manicured playing surfaces at Arsenal’s magnificent training facility at nearby London Colney. The Under 21s travel in a fullyequipped England team bus and are supported by a phalanx of FA staff. Carlton Cole’s ostentatious Lincoln Navigator, parked bold as brass in the hotel car park, only adds to the sense of occasion.

‘When I first got involved with the England Under 21 team, we used to get crowds of 3,000-4,000,’ said Taylor. ‘Now we get big crowds and although I hope the French players find it daunting, I am sure they will be as up for the game as we are.

‘We are approaching the game in the right frame of mind and I can assure everyone we will certainly be positive.’

The cavalry arrived earlier in the week when Charlton striker Darren Bent and Manchester United midfielder Kieran Richardson, both cutting their teeth in the senior squad, were drafted in to add experience to the Under 21s.

‘They got promoted to the senior team, which is lovely, but they did not play regularly and they understood why they were asked to come back,’ said Taylor.

‘ Sven phoned them and told them they have not permanently been left out of the senior team Goal king: Darren Bent (left) celebrates scoring for England Under 21s with Calum Davenport and they have responded in the right manner.’

Bent’s record at this level — eight goals in 12 games — and his form for Charlton earned him his place in Eriksson’s senior squad. He will play alongside Cole tonight and it is a measure of the Under 21s progress, following David Platt’s dismal and depressing regime, that they are within a whisker of qualification.

Although Taylor will be without captain Nigel Reo- Coker, Aaron Lennon, Steven Taylor and Leighton Baines through injury, the team is packed with talent.

Taylor added: ‘If we play the way we have, we can match anyone. The injuries have a hurt us a bit, but I have a very strong squad.

‘I am a bit frustrated we go into the game without Taylor, ReoCoker and Lennon, but we will still put out a very good team that is capable of winning.

‘There are a lot of players who are pushing their way through and it gives them encouragement to know that they could get their chance.’

Give it another six months and so might Taylor.