Mark Posted 12 November 2007 Posted 12 November 2007 http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Lates...1166268,00.html Defenders Joe Mattock and Richard Stearman are celebrating call-ups to the England Under-21 squad.Mattock (17), who only signed a new three-year deal at Leicester City on Friday, had initially been named in the Under-19s for their friendly against Germany on Wednesday. But following withdrawals from Stuart Pearce's side after the weekend's action, he has been promoted to the Under-21s for the two crucial upcoming UEFA European Championship Qualifiers along with 20-year-old Stearman. Pearce's side will host Bulgaria on Friday (November 16) at Milton Keynes (6pm) before travelling to Agueda for the clash against Portugal next Tuesday (November 20 - 9pm). If Mattock and/or Stearman play a part then they will become the first Foxes players to represent England Under-21s since Jordan Stewart. Stewart came on as a substitute in March 2003 when the Under-21s played Portugal in a 2004 European Championship qualifier. And the duo, who have both come through the Academy ranks at the club, were understandably delighted with the news. Mattock said: "The call-up came out of the blue but I found it hard to contain my excitement. "I immediately got on the phone to my family and friends to pass on the good news. "My target this season was always to get as many games as possible and the rewards would hopefully follow. "For a 17-year-old to be included in an Under-21 squad is a dream come true but I certainly won't be getting carried away." Stearman, who has previously played for England Under-17s, 18s and 19s, added: "I'm delighted with the news - to represent my country has always been a target of mine. "I've enjoyed a good run of games for the first-team of late and have been pleased with the way things have been going. "So to be selected to play for England at Under-21 level is an honour and a privilege and I am determined to give it 100 per cent and prove my worth." Academy Manager Jon Rudkin added: "It is a great honour for Joe and Richard. "It will prove to be a great experience for them; working in and around some of the Premier League's top young players. "The call-up is recognition of all their hard work and effort and hopefully they will benefit from the experience." Mattock has played 11 games for the Foxes first-team to date while Stearman made his 100th appearance during the 1-1 draw at Preston last Tuesday.
Stevosevic Posted 12 November 2007 Posted 12 November 2007 Surely i am not the only one shocked by this? Especially Stearman.
Fez of Mahrez Posted 12 November 2007 Posted 12 November 2007 Incredible achievement, congratulations.
Dames Posted 12 November 2007 Posted 12 November 2007 How Stearman managed it is beyond me. Maybe this might be something good for the lad?
Raikkonen Posted 12 November 2007 Posted 12 November 2007 Surely i am not the only one shocked by this? Especially Stearman. its shocking for both of them
Mark Posted 12 November 2007 Author Posted 12 November 2007 Surely i am not the only one shocked by this? Especially Stearman. No, suprised maybe, Stearman is talented but it's difficult to show it the way we approach football matches, you'd think he will perform better around good players.
Thracian Posted 12 November 2007 Posted 12 November 2007 http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Lates...1166268,00.html Both deserve congratulations but I hope the news serves to spur them on to better things rather than giving either any false illusions. Because both will have a hard fight to make their living in football at the top levels. Naturally I hope they succeed and to that end they have made a decent start. That is all they've done.
Mark Posted 12 November 2007 Author Posted 12 November 2007 Just look at the last Leicester player to get called up, the fans forced him out, don't do the same again. It's fantastic news for them both and the club that their TALENT has been recognised despite playing in an awful team.
Thracian Posted 12 November 2007 Posted 12 November 2007 No, suprised maybe, Stearman is talented but it's difficult to show it the way we approach football matches, you'd think he will perform better around good players. Broadly, I suspect you're right.
davieG Posted 12 November 2007 Posted 12 November 2007 Maybe, just maybe they're not as bad as some people think - perhaps the fact that they are playing in a team that is totally disillusioned, as are the fans with LCFC it has affected theirs and others game. As much as we slag them off it can't be much fun playing for us these days, one minute you're the managers eye the next you're joing the queue to leave.
Fez of Mahrez Posted 12 November 2007 Posted 12 November 2007 Just look at the last Leicester player to get called up, the fans forced him out, don't do the same again. It's fantastic news for them both and the club that their TALENT has been recognised despite playing in an awful team. :thumbup:
Darkzzz_ Posted 12 November 2007 Posted 12 November 2007 Yeah im happy for both of them, i am not going to get on Stearman's back, i think he is a decent player... Not saying he is the best in the world and he would certainly need to up his game for both club and country. For our sake i hope this is a good thing for him... Good Luck Boys
morris1234 Posted 12 November 2007 Posted 12 November 2007 well done mattock, but stearman!! maybe this could help him realise who he is again, not a pre madonna who just wants another car!! none of those players are going to take any shit from him! and as for joey, we need to keep hold of him because he could be fantastic if he sorts his defensive side a bit!
Master Fox Posted 12 November 2007 Posted 12 November 2007 Outrageous! The future of English international football now looks even worse!
filbertway Posted 12 November 2007 Posted 12 November 2007 Congratulations to both of them, Stearman came as a suprise to be honest as he's been short of form, but as some people have said, maybe be playing out of position and with crap players has affected him, although on the other side, if he does get a chance and gets shown up, we'll know Pearce just got it wrong this time and hasn't actually been following. Mattock a bit out of the blue as well, hopefully he can get a chance and put in a good showing at some point.
S1DDO Posted 12 November 2007 Posted 12 November 2007 Maybe stuart pearce is giving some of his future club players preferential treatment.
RowlattsFox Posted 12 November 2007 Posted 12 November 2007 This could be the confidence boost Stearman needs, or it could go the other way and inflate his already big ego, we'll see. Incredible achievment for Mattock but he cant get carried away, plenty of players play for the under 21s and go on to do nothing in their careers. Well Done.
potter3 Posted 12 November 2007 Posted 12 November 2007 Great news for both, but especially Mattock. Both a surprise as Mattock's only 17 and Stearman's not been too good lately, but playing with better players could/should help him.
ASH17LCFC Posted 12 November 2007 Posted 12 November 2007 First off, Well done to both and i hope they both get a chance. I'm not Stearman biggest fan but i hope getting into the U21 squad will make him a better player. Mattock who hasn't been great this season, still is rated as a huge prospect for us and he needs not to get carried away and keep on getting better.
lcfc_jme Posted 12 November 2007 Posted 12 November 2007 This could be the confidence boost Stearman needs, or it could go the other way and inflate his already big ego, we'll see.Incredible achievment for Mattock but he cant get carried away, plenty of players play for the under 21s and go on to do nothing in their careers. Well Done. More than likely to be this one, if I'm honest. When he was reportedly a target for Prem sides and had offers made for him, his form dipped dramatically and he looked shite. He's been shite for a while now and he's still managed to be rewarded with an Under 21's call-up. Essentially, he'll view it as being rewarded for his poor form, making him think he's doing nothing wrong. I can't see him improving any time soon.
Sods Posted 12 November 2007 Posted 12 November 2007 Well done to both of them, both players havent had the greatest of starts this season. But proud theres two city players.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.