Fryatt firing on all cylinders

By Andrew Haslam in Belfast

England striker Matthew Fryatt believes team spirit and a never-say-die attitude can help his side become European champions for the first time since 1993 as they prepare to face France in Friday's UEFA European Under-19 Championship final at Windsor Park.

Unquenchable spirit
Martin Hunter's men squeezed into the last four with two goals in the last ten minutes against Norway on Saturday, and Fryatt feels that may have been a turning point. "We've all got that drive, especially beating Norway in those circumstances," he said. "There was a sense that we would do it, and every time I've come away with this England team, there's that sense that we're not going to lose. That's so important, you can't coach that. This whole team feels they can be European champions."

Fluid movement
The Walsall FC forward scored an impressive hat-trick as an efficient English display yielded a 3-1 success against Serbia and Montenegro in Tuesday's semi-final, and says that hard work put in over the last couple of weeks in training is now bearing fruit. "We've been working on movement," the 19-year-old told uefa.com. "Coach Dick Bate has been working with all the forwards in peeling off the two central defenders and spinning away.

Running at goal
"We've been watching different strikers' movements, such as [Mateja] Kezman, [Ruud] van Nistelrooij and [Fernando] Torres," he went on. "Dick's been teaching me a lot over the last couple of weeks and, fortunately, I seem to have picked it up quite quickly. Hopefully I can continue to develop that side of my game because it's a really good thing for a forward - rather than picking up the ball with your back to goal, you're always running towards the goal."

'Team contribution'
Despite his treble, which took his tally for the tournament to four following an opening-day strike against France, Fryatt is quick to deflect individual praise. "Personally, I'm delighted with this tournament, and also for the team, because it's a team contribution to feed the No9," he said. "The through-balls are superb - I make the runs and if it's not played through then it's a waste. The players are supporting me by playing the ball in and I'm just fortunate enough to tuck it in."

Late bloomer
Although eight of this England squad were present at the European U17 Championship in Portugal two years ago, Fryatt was a latecomer to the international scene, making the step up at U18 level in 2003/04. "I went for a trial [with England] a year ago, when Paul Bracewell, who was at Walsall and was involved with the England set-up, recommended me," he revealed.

Unexpected opportunity
"We played Sweden and I did well, and then I've been involved in the U19 friendlies and seemed to have done well," added Fryatt, who scored 15 goals in 22 league starts in 2004/05. "I gave it my best shot and fortunately enough, I managed to get into the squad for the championship. Having a good season for my club also helped, but I could never have expected to be in this position a year ago."

Invaluable experience
Fryatt's club, Walsall, play in the third tier of English football, and the striker believes this has worked in his favour, saying: "The benefit for me coming from Walsall is that I've played a lot of first-team games. I've maybe got the knowledge of what to do in certain situations, because I'm used to the pressure. I've benefited from that opportunity even though, at a big club, perhaps you have better coaches and players."