Young stars are right in the mix
PAUL SIMPSON is convinced England have hit on a winning formula – silky footballers mixed with bulldog spirit.
The Under-20 World Cup-winning coach reckons the Football Association age group system is producing a host of players destined for the top.
The U-17s also reached their Euro final, while the U-21s will play in the Euro semifinal on Tuesday.
Asked why England are succeeding, Simpson said: “First, we have good players. That’s a big thing. There are some really talented young English footballers at the moment.
“And second, the FA have put a bit of a system in place for them to hold on to and play to. It’s a system that does not prohibit the players. They have a platform on which to go out and play.
“We have got to play our football but we also have to show we’ve got that bulldog spirit.
“If we roll up our sleeves and add that spirit to our technical ability we will produce football that will be give us a chance of progressing and be enjoyable to watch.”
Ex-Newcastle coach Simpson was turned down for an U-14 coaching job at Manchester City six years ago, but has had the last laugh with his summer of success.
He says the U-21s shouldn’t worry about their big game adding: “We can’t be anxious, we have to be positive about the way we go and play, and just see what happens.
“They have nothing to be apprehensive about, it’s already a step forward from we have done at the previous three tournaments.
“There have been some good things going on in Poland and we just have to make sure we keep doing them.”