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England U19s - BLAKE'S PREVIEW
Posted on: Wed 09 Nov 2011
England Under-19s manager Noel Blake said that tomorrow night's fixture against Denmark will be a great learning curve for his young internationals.
The Amex has sold out for its first international game and is set to break a new Under-19s attendance record, leaving Blake to count the hours.
He said, "The lads have been looking forward to this game for a while and when we all heard about the potential attendance a few weeks ago, it gave everyone a buzz.
"We have prepared the same and they have got to get used to playing in front of big crowds. Ultimately they all want to be doing that every week for their clubs and potentially in front of 90,000 fans for the senior side.
"Those are the aspirations so they have got to get familiar with that, and the more we can expose them to the atmosphere the better.
"We went to Chesterfield last season and Colchester a couple of years ago, which were both new stadiums and were well supported. The FA, coaches and players all appreciated the support and these games are always looked forward to."
Tomorrow's game is the first international to be hosted in Brighton since 1989 when England B played against Italy at the Goldstone Ground, but after four years as a player at fellow south coast side Portsmouth, Blakes appreciates the importance of such a fixture.
"I played down the road so I know about the football history - it's a vibrant footballing region. Steve Foster and Terry Connor are very good friends of mine so I know the area and know what football means to them.
"It's great that the club have got the stadium and it's good for football. The fans have been waiting a long time but they have finally got what they deserve."
Meanwhile, Blake is expecting a competitive clash against Denmark, who traditionally boasts a rich footballing pedigree.
"At all levels there is never an easy international football match and the Scandinavian nations are always difficult teams to play against, so we expect a difficult game.
"Their Under-17 side did very well at the European Finals during the summer and reached the World Cup Finals, like we did. Denmark have always produced top international players."
England U19s - BLAKE'S PREVIEW
Posted on: Wed 09 Nov 2011
England Under-19s manager Noel Blake said that tomorrow night's fixture against Denmark will be a great learning curve for his young internationals.
The Amex has sold out for its first international game and is set to break a new Under-19s attendance record, leaving Blake to count the hours.
He said, "The lads have been looking forward to this game for a while and when we all heard about the potential attendance a few weeks ago, it gave everyone a buzz.
"We have prepared the same and they have got to get used to playing in front of big crowds. Ultimately they all want to be doing that every week for their clubs and potentially in front of 90,000 fans for the senior side.
"Those are the aspirations so they have got to get familiar with that, and the more we can expose them to the atmosphere the better.
"We went to Chesterfield last season and Colchester a couple of years ago, which were both new stadiums and were well supported. The FA, coaches and players all appreciated the support and these games are always looked forward to."
Tomorrow's game is the first international to be hosted in Brighton since 1989 when England B played against Italy at the Goldstone Ground, but after four years as a player at fellow south coast side Portsmouth, Blakes appreciates the importance of such a fixture.
"I played down the road so I know about the football history - it's a vibrant footballing region. Steve Foster and Terry Connor are very good friends of mine so I know the area and know what football means to them.
"It's great that the club have got the stadium and it's good for football. The fans have been waiting a long time but they have finally got what they deserve."
Meanwhile, Blake is expecting a competitive clash against Denmark, who traditionally boasts a rich footballing pedigree.
"At all levels there is never an easy international football match and the Scandinavian nations are always difficult teams to play against, so we expect a difficult game.
"Their Under-17 side did very well at the European Finals during the summer and reached the World Cup Finals, like we did. Denmark have always produced top international players."
