Sven backs Pearce

Stuart Pearce could well be our next England manager. At least, that's the view of Sven Goran Eriksson who believes the national under-21 coach would be a worthy successor to Fabio Capello.

He would certainly be the fans'choice, representing what everyone would like to see in a manager. Guts, determination, leading from the front and a straight, no nonsense attitude. How many times did we see Pearce on the England pitch, bursting with anger at a poor performance but still managing to contain his emotions?
Pearce has done a marvellous job by guiding the under-21s to England's first major final in 25 years.

Ironically, it was penalties which got them through against Sweden, a curse which has usually seen England dumped out of the big tournaments. Eriksson firmly believes Stuart Pearce can make the step up from national under-21 coach to first team manager. "If he has proven it at under-21 why shouldn't he be able to do it with the senior team?" he told BBC Sport.

"Yes it's a big step, but I think he can do it in the future. Why not?" Pearce, now 47, already works with senior coach Capello on England duty. Reaching the finals of the European tournament is a brilliant achievement and one which will look pretty good on Pearce's footballing CV.

Stuart Pearce shrugs off the worries.

England Under 21 manager, Stuart Pearce, has shrugged off the worries that Theo Walcott will run himself into the ground this summer by playing too much football for different England sides.

The Arsenal winger has been said to be quite fragile by Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, however, after the Under 21’s thumping win at the weekend, Pearce is insisting that Walcott is as enthusiastic as ever and just wants to play as much as he possibly can. Walcott is also a growing figure in the national team and has made some impressive performances when he has been called upon by Fabio Capello.

This is likely to mean that he will feature in all senior England games this summer as well as taking part in the Under 21 European Championships. Pearce clearly does not see this as a problem, he said: “If I was giving advice I would say if you are picked for the national team then play all the games you can. I did. I speak from experience, not as someone who picked and chose my games.”

The worry is that because Walcott is still a young man then he will not be aware of the limitations that high pressure sport is likely to put on him. Furthermore the worry for Arsenal is that when they try to hit the ground running after the summer, they will be left with one of their best players who has nothing left to give.

However, this remains to be seen and the criticism of the decision to include Walcott in both England parties will only be created if the player cannot handle so many intense games. You have to be able to back a young player to know when it is time just to admit to the boss that he is feeling it and needs a break.

Wenger needs to have a little bit of faith in the experience of Capello and Pearce as well as the logic of Walcott that if things are getting too tough then all parties concerned can reach a decision that will benefit everyone. It is no good wrapping up such an explosive player in cotton wool because you fear he will get tired and not be ready to play for his club at the start of next season.

Both England sides, as well as the Arsenal team, have big squads that are capable of being able to play without Walcott in the first eleven. It is for this reason that there shouldn’t be a single worry associated to the young man’s fitness or temperament. If he wants to play then he will do and doubtless he will jump at every chance he is given to win an England cap, regardless of whether or not it fits in with Wenger’s line of thinking.

It is certain that if Walcott plays for England this summer and scores a few goals, hence lifting his potential price tag by a few million, then the last person who will be complaining will be the Arsenal manager.