England U21s 0 Ukraine U21s 0

England struggle once again and will have to beat the much fancied Czech Republic in their last game to ensure progress to the semi-finals.

Under pressure: Pearce knows England must improve

If it is a pre-requisite to play bland football and frustrate the watching audience with tepid performances at major championships in order to progress to the full squad, then this current batch, coach Stuart Pearce included, have passed their audition with flying colours.

There were even fewer positives to take from this game than the 1-1 draw against Spain. Even Phil Jones looked susceptible to the occasional lapse that had apparently deterred Manchester City from bidding for the 19 year old defender, prior to his £16.5 million move to rivals Manchester United.

Goalkeeper Frankie Fielding saved Jones' blushes by blocking Roman Zozulya's effort from just eight yards out with the centre-back floundering.


England only stepped up a gear in the final ten minutes. Daniel Sturridge forcing Anton Kanibolitskiy into a smart save from long distance and striker Danny Welbeck nodding straight at the keeper from the resulting corner. But it was all too little, too late.

Too often England struggled in the final third and, as a result, rarely threatened. Indeed, the nearest Pearce's side came to opening the scoring was via a 35 yard screamer from Chelsea striker Sturridge that rebounded back off the cross bar towards the end of the first half. Any nearer the Ukranian box and England seemed to run out of ideas.

To be fair, Sturridge and Arsenal's Henri Lansbury could possibly be exempt from criticism. Welbeck, however, was listless and spurned his best opportunity in the 54th minute when through on goal. Sir Alex Ferguson seems to be quite active in the transfer market this summer and it remains to be seen who will be shipped out of Old Trafford. If Welbeck performs like this in the red shirt of Manchester then it won't be long before he's shown the door.

England's championship hopes are hanging by a thread.

Nevertheless, the Czechs looked particularly vulnerable in their 2-0 defeat to tournament favourites Spain earlier today but they are fully aware that a point against England will probably be enough for them to progress to next week's semi-final. And if the English serve up more dross like this then they will surely get the draw they require.