Sounds liek Shola was the only decent player for the u-21s

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2001

Answers

Sorry Mac, I am over the sea and far away, no news here, how did they do and how did he do??

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2001

SPAIN GIVE YOUNG ENGLAND A SPANKING

England 0-4 Spain Under-21 friendly

England's brave new world came crashing in as the Under-21 side were given a comprehensive footballing education by their Spanish counterparts at St Andrews.

Under the watchful eyes of Sven Goran Eriksson, who must be hoping there is not the same gulf in quality at Villa Park when the full sides meet on Wednesday night, Howard Wilkinson's youngsters were outplayed and, in truth, outclassed by a Spain team brimming with talent.

England had no answer to the promptings of Barcelona midfielder Xavi, Valencia winger Vincente and the lethal Celta Vigo striker Pablo Gonzalez, who helped himself to a first half brace. Substitutes Colsa and Xisco also scored to give the scoreline a fair reflection of the visitors superiority.

The only consolation for the multi-national managerial cast at Soho Square is that the game was a friendly. And with the UEFA qualifying campaign restarting against Finland on March 23, Wilkinson will be thankful for the return of a number of his more experienced youngsters.

Missing the likes of Joe Cole and Michael Carrick, England were paralysed by the promptings of the imperious Xavi, and in the opening 20 minutes found themselves trapped in their own half.

With the willing Joaquin and Orbaiz running rings around the experimental midfield of Owen Hargreaves, Mark Wilson and David Dunn, it was no surprise to see Spain take an early lead after 13 minutes.

Vicente, who had an alarming amount of space in which to progress due to John Terry's reluctance to close him down, gathered the ball wide on the left and made his way to the byline before pulling the ball back for Pablo to slot home.

If disorganisation was rife in the England defence for the opener, then it had quickly turned into an epidemic eight minutes later when the Spaniards doubled their advantage after an horrendous mistake.

Towering defender Carlos Marchena launched a straight-forward long ball in the general direction of the Pablo, who was making advances towards Paul Robinson's box. There seemed to be little danger as Terry and the Leeds keeper made moves to deal with the threat until both players got in each others way and allowed Pablo to walk the ball into an unguarded net. The goals may have owed much to England's kamikaze defending but there was no hiding the fact that Inaki Saez's side were a class apart with their flowing attacks and intelligent movement bamboozling their opposition.

England coach Wilkinson opted to make five changes at half time, including the removal of centre- back pairing Gareth Barry and Terry. One of the five substitutes, Shola Ameobi came close to reducing the arrears whith a couple of efforts that were dealt with by substitute stopper Reina.

More good play by Newcastle striker set up a chance for Mark Wilson but again Reina came to Spain's rescue with the young United man no doubt wishing he should have cut the ball back for Alan Smith, who cut a forlorn figure in his isolated role up front.

Then after 64 minutes the Spaniards went 3-0 ahead as Sanchez jinked past Upson before sending in a cross which Colsa headed past Robinson. Fellow substitute Xisco made the most of some more embarrassing defending to slot home after good work from full-back Velesca, but by then the game was already over.

Eriksson had seen the Under-21 side go down to the worst ever defeat on home soil as well as equal the biggest loss in their history - a 4-0 reverse at the hands of Romania in Ploesti in 1980 - in the first international outing under his guidance.

The Swede will be hoping the opening night of his run in the hottest of hot seats will not go as disastrously wrong as the dress rehearsal.

England U21: Robinson, Griffin (Thelwell 59), Bridge, Hargreaves (Prutton 72), Terry (Riggott 45), Barry (Upson 45), Chadwick (Greening 45), Wilson, Smith, Dunn (King 45), Christie (Ameobi 45). Subs Not Used: Weaver, Johnson, Young, Vassell, Naylor. Booked: Smith.

Spain U21: Aranzubia (Reina 47), Varela, Bermudo, Jusue, Marchena (Boris 79), Orbaiz (Fernandez 47), Joaquin (Coira 67), Xavi, Pablo (Xisco 72), Guayre (Colsa 47), Vicente (Yeste 73). Booked: Marchena, Coira. Goals: Pablo 14, 21, Colsa 64, Xisco 86.

Att: 13,761 Ref: J Mcdermott (Ireland).

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2001

Ouch!! Thanks Tre. Sounds like the lads were just outclassed.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2001

I posted the following brief report on the "England Under-21" thread (surprise, surprise!) straight after the game.
Shola's excellent cameo appearance was the only bright spot for England who were abysmal.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2001

...whoops, forgot the 'report':-

A football lesson for England in an embarrassingly inept performance in a 4-0 defeat.

England's defending was comical at times, and the only bright spot for them was the performance of Shola Ameobi, who came on at HT. He almost scored with his first touch, brilliantly made two two chances for colleagues that were both spurned, and then screwed one wide after a terrific link-up with Jon Greening.

Andy Griffin's performance, in common with all England's defenders was disappointing giving his man far too much space and giving the ball away too often.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2001

The Spanish side were fantastic, I thought - much better than most PL sides, and probably capable of giving our seniors a game. I thought Griff was just dumbfounded at the pure skill of the Spaniards but thought that Shola did really well. However, what was noticeable was that the U21s have lost their core of Lampard, Dyer, Ferdinand et al and all of a sudden, they are crap and also, whatever we may think , English football is reverting to type - cloggers.

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2001