Reo-Coker bent on England win

Nigel Reo-Coker is determined to reach the 2007 UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals after missing England's 2006 play-off failure through injury.

Agonising defeat
Nursing a fractured ankle, the West Ham United FC captain had to watch as England lost 3-2 on aggregate to France and were forced to sit out the final tournament in Portugal in May. The 22-year-old midfielder is adamant his side will not fail this time around, as they take a 1-0 lead against Germany into the second leg of their qualifying play-off in Leverkusen tonight.

'It killed me'
"It killed me last time," said the England skipper. "I was unable to play - I was a spectator for both legs. We needed this win against Germany, not just for the psychological aspect to take into the second leg but so we know as players we have the right ingredients to beat them. If we produce the same again we know we can get the right result."

High spirits
A 2-2 draw against Moldova and 3-2 success in Switzerland were enough for Peter Taylor's team to book their play-off with Germany, and Reo-Coker insists spirits are high in the camp ahead of the return match. "We have tremendous team spirit, like a club," he said. "Everyone gets on well, even the quiet players get involved with the banter, and the staff, and that's why we've done so well."

'Something great'
Rumours in England suggest Taylor may be ousted from his position because senior coach Steve McClaren wants the U21 job done on a full-time basis. Taylor currently runs the side in tandem with his role as Crystal Palace FC manager, yet Reo-Coker gives the coach his full backing, saying: "Peter has established something great here. All the players thoroughly enjoy coming for U21 duty.

'The man for the job'
"The players are 110 per cent behind Peter," he added. "We respect him as a coach and as a manager, for what he's done at this level and what he tries to get us to do. We've built the foundation for something great. They have to keep him for the finals, there's no two ways about it. His record speaks for itself. He's the man for the job and there's nothing else to even think about."

Attacking mentality
Nothing except the second leg against Germany. As far as Reo-Coker is concerned, his side will be playing to win. "It's a very big stage waiting for us at the end of the season if we reach the finals," he said. "We'll still play the attacking game. We have nothing to lose and nothing to fear. We're more than capable of scoring goals and we're more than capable of defending. We have the confidence and belief to go out there and play our football, enjoy ourselves and express ourselves."