History could almost be repeating itself for Pearce. When he was a player at the 1990 World Cup finals, England started with a shaky 1-1 draw against the Republic of Ireland before a goalless match against Holland.

The style of game and scores here in Denmark have been  identical but Pearce fondly remembers how England turned the situation around by beating Egypt before progressing to the semi-finals. So Pearce knows what his players are thinking. Even though none of them is old enough to remember him as England’s left back, he believes he can connect with them.

‘I will try to brush it up in a way that relates directly to them and not (just be) some old codger wheeling out another story,’ he said.
 
‘They only want to know what is important to them. If they feel nervous, that’s normal. That’s the beauty of having played the game — when you say 'I know how you feel,' they know you do.’

School of thought: Pearce has been groomed by Capello (right) with the England seniors

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