Stuart Pearce Looks At The Permutations

Last updated : 11 September 2012 By Footy Mad - Editor

s

England ensured their place in next month's play-offs with Thursday's 2-0 victory in Azerbaijan.

The Young Lions will face one of Switzerland, Denmark, Slovakia, Sweden, Russia and Serbia, the latter trio having won their groups but denied a seeding by virtue of their UEFA co-efficient.

England therefore avoid the nightmare draw of one of Spain, Germany, Italy, Holland, France or Czech Republic, a prospect they would have faced had they lost on Monday.

Stuart Pearce: "I would like to say that we haven't looked at that yet but I've studied those league tables on a daily basis for the last two seasons.

"Before [the Norway game] we knew exactly all the possible outcomes for us and the teams we could get.

"I wouldn't have wanted Norway to come out of the group with us if I'm being honest as that would have given us more of a chance of getting a runner-up - not that that particularly makes it easier for you as two years ago all four runners-up went to the finals having beaten group winners.

"So there is a word of caution there as there are plenty of things that can go against you - players' fitness and availability and so on.

"All the play-off fixtures will be tight affairs as everyone wants to be at those finals and we have two years' work rapped up in eight days in October now."