As a photograph of Fabio Capello left the building under the arm of a Wembley handyman on Tuesday, Stuart Pearce went into full England  manager mode.

Never mind that the friendly with Holland could mark his one crack at the top job. Pearce was preparing for this summer’s European Championship in the hope that he might yet be in charge, ordering his players to practise penalties having already informed them of certain changes he had made to his Italian predecessor’s pre-tournament plans.

Leading his merry men: Stuart Pearce put on quite the show at Wembley

‘Fabio had most of the planning and training-camp details put into place and I’ve tinkered with that slightly,’ he said.

For a former full back whose  distinguished England career was defined by two penalties, spot-kicks amounted to an essential part of Tuesday's training session.

Pearce took up his position on the edge of the area armed with a clipboard that enabled him to take copious notes. Only three of the players missed, Ashley Cole shooting wide before Theo Walcott and Scott  Carson saw their efforts saved.

« Previous12345Next »