Pearce wanted more from England U21 after Poland stalemate

England U21 boss Stuart Pearce was disappointed with his team's 0-0 draw with Poland last night.

A sell-out crowd at Molineux were left with little to cheer as Pearce handed his fringe players a chance to stake their claims ahead of September's European Championship qualifier against Portugal, and what seems a certain play-off for next summer's finals in Sweden.

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The coach handed debuts to Daniel Fox, Ryan Shawcross and Jamie O'Hara, while Tom Heaton, Fraizer Campbell and Scott Dann all came off the bench to earn their first caps.

"We didn't do enough to win the game," Pearce conceded. "If I'm being honest probably a draw was a fair result.

"We are difficult to beat but I think at times we were opened up a little bit in the middle of the park which is unlike us, but when they had to the goalkeepers helped us out.

"By the time we have a look at it again we will know a bit more about one or two individuals."

Pearce insisted the friendly was nonetheless a "worthwhile exercise", with the principal purpose to give experience to players previously on the periphery of his squad.

He added: "I think it was a difficult game for us, not the easiest of games. We certainly didn't take an opposition that would have been comfortable for us.

"We would have liked to have won the game. I have learnt enough from the performance to make it a worthwhile exercise, that's for sure.

"There were a lot of players out there making their debuts. We have had them together one day on the training pitch and I think at times that showed."