International friendlies

England have not exactly set themselves up for a good showing in Poland and Ukraine – and not just because the Three Lions always fail at major tournaments – with the manager resigning ahead of the tournament as his captain was relieved of the armband (and will not be getting it back) while arguably the best player, Wayne Rooney, will be missing for two of three group games.

It does not look an ideal situation for anyone but the identity of the men who will be leading the side, both manager and captain, remains to be seen – and there are just three friendlies to sort things out.

Stuart Pearce has been given the immediate task of filling Fabio Capello’s boots with his current remit to oversee the friendly against Holland, while Harry Redknapp appears to be everyone’s choice to become the next permanent manager.

It will be no easy task for Pearce on Wednesday against the side ranked third in the world although the World Cup finalists are only marginal favourites in the match betting at 13/8, with England on offer at 7/4 and the draw priced up at 11/5.

Recent history suggests there is little to choose between the two sides as the last four matches – all friendlies – have ended all square, with Holland triumphing 2-0 at Wembley in 2002 in the most recent positive result.

England have won five and lost four of the 18 meetings between the two countries with nine ending in draws – and in the middle of a season will either side be busting a gut to get the victory?

As is the nature of friendlies these days, there is also the problem of withdrawals to deal with as Pearce has seen Rooney, Kyle Walker, Darren Bent and Tom Cleverley pull out of his first, and possibly only, squad.

The big-hitting trio of Rafael van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben have all had their injury problems so both sides may well field less than full strength line-ups.

England endured a dismal World Cup campaign but Capello successfully managed to guide the side to the Euro finals, something they did not achieve four years ago, relatively comfortably.

The Italian noted England’s faltering abilities at Wembley but the team goes into Wednesday’s encounter on the back of a nine-match unbeaten run, winning the last three matches at home.

Even reigning world and European champions Spain have been beaten in that time, albeit in a backs-to-the-wall kind of fashion, so the hosts have at least proved they can be hard to beat.

Holland cruised to the finals on the back of nine wins in Group E and only surrendered their 100 percent record in the last game of the qualifying campaign in Sweden.

Robin van Persie has been in sensational form this season and is an obvious threat and unsurprising favourite at 9/2 in the First/Last Goalscorer betting, while he is priced at 2/1 to bag anytime.

He has enjoyed huge success against English defences and must be considered, given the inexperience in the home side’s backline, which has to cope without both John Terry and Rio Ferdinand.

Pearce does not have too much experience up front either following Rooney’s withdrawal but Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck (both 6/1 – First Goalscorer) have both impressed this season, while Theo Walcott’s (10/1) fine brace for Arsenal made a mockery of recent criticism.

Steven Gerrard also looks worthy of consideration at 7/1 First/Last Goalscorer and 7/2 Anytime as he is expected to lead the side and thrives on the extra responsibility.

It is difficult seeing it being a free-flowing, attack-minded game, particularly with Pearce not wanting to harm his chances of permanent appointment with a big defeat, so expect a tight contest.

However, Capello’s former assistant might boost his chances of success if he gets the players confident wearing the shirt and looking like they enjoy playing for their country, which does not appear to have been the case for some time.

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The Danes will be hosting the European Under-21 Championships in June, although they have been drawn in a different group to Stuart Pearce’s team, who are 6/5 to win Thursday’s match.

Denmark qualified for the tournament as hosts, but England struggled to join them, finishing as runners-up to Greece in Group Nine before sealing their place in the finals with a narrow 2-1 play-off success against Romania.

With another friendly against Iceland on Monday to prepare for, Pearce selected a big squad for the double-header although five early withdrawals have lessened his options.

Jack Rodwell, Gary Hooper, Mark Davies, Henri Lansbury and Alex Smithies have all dropped out as Pearce continues to ponder his options as he attempts to pick a 23-man squad for this summer’s extravaganza.

Celtic striker Hooper’s injury is particularly unfortunate as the prolific former Scunthorpe United star was set to win his first cap for his country, while Huddersfield goalkeeper Smithies has returned to his club with a slight injury.

Everton’s Rodwell is probably the highest-profile absentee, although Jack Wilshere – a regular in the Under-21 side until recently – is now an established fixture in the senior squad.

The withdrawals could hand chances to the likes of Ipswich Town teenager Connor Wickham and Chelsea starlet Josh McEachran, who were part of last year’s Under-17 Championship winning team.

England’s last game was February’s disappointing 1-0 defeat to Italy in Empoli while Denmark, 9/5 to win the match and 11/5 to draw, are coached by Keld Bordinggaard, although ex-Dundee and Celtic midfielder Morten Wieghorst will take on the role after this summer’s tournament.

The Danes were beaten 2-1 by ten-man Spain last month but are an attractive side that includes the likes of Villarreal’s Nicki Bille Nielsen and Jens Stryger Larsen of Brondby.

Reading goalkeeper Mikkel Andersen is also among their ranks while the goals are most likely to come from Lille’s Emil Lyng or Soren Frederiksen of Copenhagen.

Last month, Fabio Capello’s senior side were forced to come from behind before beating Denmark 2-1 in an international friendly, but the youthful Danish side could have the edge in this one – they 11/2 to win it 1-0 – as Pearce continues to juggle his resources.

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Despite the Italian still having just less than two years to see out on his current deal the list of potential candidates to replace him has already begun to take shape.

Capello confirmed last week he would walk away from his role after Euro 2012, stating the need to enjoy his retirement as the reason why he would be quitting.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson, Pearce and David Beckham have all been mentioned in connection with the post, although it could be some time before any of them are even scheduled for an interview with the FA.

Redknapp has already said it would be a tough job to turn down, with the FA likely to favour the 63-year-old and Hodgson given their recent success with English clubs.

Should Redknapp build on his reputation at Tottenham (10/1 British team to progress furthest in Champions League) as one of the top English managers he would appear to be the ideal choice, given the FA has said it wants an Englishman to takeover.

Pearce’s name had also been thrown into the hat given his time under Capello as his assistant, as well as his work with the Under-21s.

The former defender’s time with the Under-21 set-up has seen them reach the final of the European Championships and help bring through the likes of Joe Hart, James Milner and Adam Johnson.

Despite his time in the England set-up, along with the two years he managed Manchester City, Pearce still believes he doesn’t have enough experience to take over from Capello and has effectively ruled himself out of the running.

“If you ask me the question today, I’ve not got the experience to do that job, but it’s very flattering for people to mention my name,” said Pearce.

“It’s an honour to be mentioned. Whether I’ve supported the nation as a player, Under 21 coach, or coach with the first team, it’s a massive honour.

“It’s like all people that get mentioned, I’ve got a lot of things going in my favour – I’ve captained England, played in tournaments and coached Under 21 tournaments. This summer I’ve been to a major tournament as a coach.

“I tick a few boxes, but I’ve not got a thousand matches behind me like the Harry Redknapps and Roy Hodgsons of this world.”

Director of Football Development Trevor Brooking has backed Pearce’s decision to step back from the role, claiming the former England international needs to go back to club management in order to establish himself as a potential candidate for the role.

Brooking gave no indication as to who would take over from Capello but hinted the FA would lean towards a more experienced manager to take the England (9/1 – Euro 2012 outright) helm, effectively ruling out the likes of Beckham and Alan Shearer.

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