Pearce rules himself out of England role

England were defeated 3-2 by Netherlands at Wembley on Wednesday by Arjen Robben’s late strike, but Pearce's youthful charges looked on course to secure a draw following late goals from Gary Cahill and Ashley Young. "I feel I would consider taking the England team to the Euros, without a doubt," said Pearce in his post-match press conference. "That wouldn’t be daunting to me at all. I have really enjoyed this week. If that opportunity comes along, then great. "All I am doing is buying the Football Association time if they haven’t got someone else in place. The full-time manager of England is someone else at this moment in time, not me. "I’m in the situation as Under-21 manager and they needed someone to fill in short-term. I am sure they will go through the process of getting someone in place before the summer. If they don’t they know they’ve got me available and all the planning’s done. "I didn’t see it as a big night for me. I have thoroughly enjoyed the last few days. All of the players and staff have been very good and very focused. I can’t ask for more. If we had come away 2-2 there would be a better feel about ourselves." Robben netted the first goal of the match with a brilliant solo goal after carrying the ball from his own half, while Klaas-Jan Huntelaar headed the visitors into a 2-0 lead from Dirk Kuyt's cross. "A little bit of nous could have seen the game through," admitted Pearce. "lt is disappointing but the exercise was to learn from it. We came up against an outstanding team with the Robben’s and [Robin] van Persie’s of this world – they are outstanding footballers. "Team for team and experience for experience with their caps, the [Mark] van Bommel’s of this world make sure that if someone is breaking on them they don’t get away from them. It is game management and knowhow that you have to learn. "We have to have a touch more belief in ourselves. Belief is the missing ingredient that we need to find. "There were a few good showings from the players, and we’ve learnt a lot. That was the exercise for me going into the game - to learn about one or two individuals and their credentials for the summer and I think we have done that." Chris Smalling was stretchered off the pitch and taken to hospital after a sickening clash of heads with Huntelaar. "Chris Smalling has had a really bad bang on his head," explained Pearce. "He has split his head open. I spoke to him when he came off the pitch. He was conscious and has now gone to hospital. Our thoughts are with him. Hopefully he will be fine." Another injury concern was Steven Gerrard, who went off in the first half for Daniel Sturridge but Pearce admitted the plan had been for his withdrawal to take place at the interval. "Stevie Gerrard was more precautionary, he was feeling tight," he said. "My plan was always to play him for 45 minutes." Pearce also praised Scott Parker in his role as captain: "I thought Scotty would grow with the role. I have seen his interaction with the group. "He is an extremely unselfish player. All those things into the mix I thought he was an ideal player to captain the side this evening."