Toon Duo Go Into Battle

Last updated : 20 June 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

I'm sure well know how ex-Toon defender Stuart Pearce suffered as a player when he missed that penalty in the World Cup. But look on the bright side, if it happens to one of our lads ... they may get a pizza advert out of it.

Pearce was knocked out at the last-four stage twice as an England player ... but he leads the under-21s to the semi-final of the European Championships where they face holders and hosts Holland in Heerenveen tonight.

Pearce: "Losing in a semi-final is horrible - it's probably the worst place to lose. Losing in the final you know you have no more football.

"Instead you have to go back to the hotel and pack your bags and it isn't a great feeling, I can tell you. If we can avoid that it would be delightful.

"We have a host of players on one caution and Tom Huddlestone suspended, although the Football Association are appealing to UEFA to get his ban reduced to one match.

"We are not going to appeal what he said, which was a sending-off offence.

"There was also a mass scuffle in the last match, but it will galvanise them without a doubt."

James Milner: "It was a difficult group to get out of and hopefully we are now starting to peak at the right time. We know what quality we have and we know we can go all the way."