Getting to know you: Manchester United's Chris Smalling (left) is expected to be joined at Old Trafford by Phil Jones

West Ham’s James Tomkins is almost angry at the good press Spain seem to get compared to England.

‘It’s all very well saying Spain are technically good but we can hurt them, too,’ he said. ‘We’re concentrating on their weaknesses as much as their strengths.

‘They push people forward but what about when they turn the ball over, don’t you think we have players that can hurt them? We can givethem problems on the counterattack, they are vulnerable, too.’

Such fighting talk will delight Pearce, these days a heady mixture of British bulldog and learned coach.

The defining moment of his playing career at Euro 96 came against Spain, when his bulging-eyes celebration after he scored in a penalty shoot-out against Spain was one of the iconic images of that summer.

Fifteen years later, he is calmer and more thoughtful but clearly excited at being trusted with a generation of youngsters who could succeed where others have failed. He has such an abundance of talent in his squad that he will not decide on a captain, let alone a starting lineup, until this morning.

« Previous1234567Next »