It seems that there's quite a pool of young English talent flowing through to the senior team at the moment, now I'm not for one second suggesting that we have a new "Golden Generation" or anything like that, but we have got a number of young players coming through and pushing the old gaurd for their positions. 2 years ago when there was a media clamour for the older players to be pushed out and the "give youth a chance" brigade were in full voice there were very very few players that deserved a chance. So what's happened? How much credit does Pearce deserve for bringing on players that can handle the step up to the first team. How much credit does Fabio deserve for playing some of them? How much credit does the FA deserve for the set-up that's in place? and how much do the clubs deserve for coaching youth properly now?

Questions I don't know the answers too but I'd like your thoughts.

I don't know huge amounts about the set up of the FA, but I think someone like (Sir) Trevor Brooking deserves as much credit as anyone. I think he has pushed for a lot of changes and many have been implemented since his involvement. Every time I hear him interviewed, he talks a lot of sense and is very aware of the young players coming through.

I think Capello is at the stage where he has nothing to lose so I wouldn't give him too much in the way of credit - not after last years World Cup f**k up.

As for Pearce, I like him as a pro and he always speaks his mind, but I really don't know about him as a coach. The u21's have a decent record and a good squad of players but whenever I watch them, they are still not playing the right way IMO. Still far too many long balls which bypass the midfield and players still not looking as comfortable on the ball as the likes of Spain and Holland.

But it is good we have at least some younger players coming through.

I sometimes wonder if every now & then clubs produce a good batch of youngsters which the international set can make good use of.

Maybe countries like Spain are just enjoying the benefits of their own 'golden generation',which may not last.

A lot gratitude should go to the hard work of the clubs youth development set-ups,which both Pearce & Capello can now rely on.

It's encouraging to see Fabio using the younger guys for the 2 freindlies,but a question to ask is,will he still be so keen when it comes to the finals?.

With the SGP development taking shape, hopefully the situation will contine to improve,because as you stated Barn,there weren't that many younger players that deserved the chance.

Pearce should not worry about winning trophies with the under 21's,just make sure they develope their skill's/mindset properly.

What are people's thoughts on Gary Hooper? Obviously he is only scoring in Scotland, but still his numbers are massive he has to be considered at some point in these friendlies. A real fox in the box in my view.

Hooper shouldn't get anywhere near international football. He is, at best, a championship standard striker. Ignore his goal record in the SPL - in terms of standard I would put the two old firm teams as lower half championship sides, a couple of others as league 1 and the rest as league 2 clubs.

Hooper shouldn't get anywhere near international football. He is, at best, a championship standard striker. Ignore his goal record in the SPL - in terms of standard I would put the two old firm teams as lower half championship sides, a couple of others as league 1 and the rest as league 2 clubs.

So your not sure about him then.....

Interesting view loz. You didn't pull your punches!

Interesting that he scored more goals for Sc**thorpe than Carroll did for Newcastle in their season in the Championship. Carroll is deemed good enough, Bothroyd even got a show.

Interesting view loz. You didn't pull your punches!

Interesting that he scored more goals for Sc**thorpe than Carroll did for Newcastle in their season in the Championship. Carroll is deemed good enough, Bothroyd even got a show.

Everyone other than Queen Kenny and a selection of Laverpell fans knows he's a rubbish player.

For the uninformed, who do we all throw in with 'England's new batch'?

Sturridge, Wilshere, Rodwell, Walcott, Welbeck, Phil Jones, Kyle Walker?