Lansbury diary

part II

We then had a couple of days off at home with our families before we got back into England mode for the meet up and flight from Luton.

I was picked up about 9am and travelled with Fabrice, my old Arsenal team mate. We played together in the Youth Cup before and I can remember him missing a penalty. In the car he didn?t stop talking, he was doing my head in! But, seriously, he?s a great lad. In fact everyone in this squad is top notch, we all get along so well and that team spirit has help us settle at the Kellers Park Hotel.

I?m told it?s a former hospital, and it looks like it from the outside. Inside it?s been done up really well and looks nothing like a hospital. Some of the views are great too, we can see right across the Vejle Fjord. The FA?s support staff have done a lot to make the lads feel comfortable, we?ve got table tennis and a couple of X-Boxes in the games area and they are starting to help build a bit of healthy rivalry in the squad. Rosey and Welbs have been playing a lot of FIFA.

On the real football pitch we?ve been working really hard. Wednesday?s first session was in the pouring rain but the ball was fizzing about nicely and everyone looked sharp. And on Thursday we had a load of kids from the local area in to watch us train and get some autographs. We also met the Mayor of Fredericia where our training ground is as he welcomed us to Denmark ? but his microphone kept playing up as they always seem to do on those occasions.

part III


After today's training session we got back to the hotel and were given a briefing from one of UEFA's refereeing people about what to expect in the tournament, so you know the first match is getting close.

So it?s building up nicely to Sunday?s first game. We know it?s going to be very difficult against Spain but we?re confident in our own ability that we can get a result. Everyone is fighting hard to be in that starting eleven, pushing each other to the maximum. Whoever plays will certainly be up for it and hopefully we can bring three points back from Herning.

Until next time,
Henri

Here's a new entry! 16 June

When I woke this morning I had a really stiff shoulder. I landed on it heavily in last night?s match and I thought I?d popped it out. Dave Galley, our physio, came on to check and tried to feel if it was dislocated, but fortunately it wasn?t so I was able to get back into the action quickly.

I thought I did pretty well when I came on against Ukraine, maybe a couple of sloppy passes, but I wanted to try and change the game and get on the ball. I wanted to try and open them up. We had chances to do that last night, but just couldn?t get the goal we wanted. I scored past Ukraine in the group game at the U19s Championship Finals two years ago, so fancied my chances again. When I had a sight on goal from about 25 yards I had a try but my shot went just wide.

A draw still leaves it in our hands and we know what?s needed. It?s like a knock-out now, three must-win games, but we always go into games wanting to win. It?s important for us and we know what we must do.

We?ve got a couple of days of important preparation to make sure we are ready for the Czechs. I?ll be trying to play a few jokes to keep the banter flying around the hotel. It?s a relatively short period of time, two and a half weeks, and we?ve come here to do a job and do it to the best of our ability. But it?s important to keep everybody?s spirits high during down-time.

Part II

Today we had some time to relax and do what we wanted. A few of the lads played golf, some went into Vejle town or to the cinema, but I was quite happy staying around the hotel. I borrowed Jamie?s camera and wandered about taking pictures of the boys and different things. I quite like photography and I might take it up. (Scroll through a selection of Henri's photos at the top of the page)

I also interviewed Frankie for FATV. I was in the kitroom with Jon (FATV producer) when Frankie turned up with Frosty (kitman Pat Frost). You can have a look at how I get on as Michael Parkinson when it goes on TheFA.com on Friday.

I?ve been spending a bit of time with Frankie and Frosty and the kit room is a bit of a meeting and chatting point. A few of the staff even had a session watching Alan Partridge on the big screen in there the other night.

A couple of days ago I went down to the marina for some hot chocolate, they do a really special chocolate, but I can?t have too many. Maybe tomorrow though!

Before we headed Herning for the game on Wednesday we went training to practice set-plays, and the subs also did some boxes, which is a small-sided possession game.

Part III

I knew that there was a chance that I?d get on, so I made sure I had some rest in the afternoon and stayed in my room. I watched Remember the Titans ? a bit of Denzel ? it?s quite an inspirational and a moving story. I really get into films and take them seriously. I related it to what we?re doing here.

I had my music back on in the coach ? still waiting for Rihanna to call! ? and it helped pass the time to the ground, which is about an hour and a half from Kellers Park. When we got there everyone was looking forward to getting out onto the pitch, Studger (Daniel Sturridge) put his ipod on - he?s got some decent beats - and me and Welbs were getting into it as we got ready.

I think we started the game a bit slowly and didn?t get into the pockets of space in front of the back four as we wanted to. We didn?t relax as much as we should on the ball, perhaps the whistling in the crowd had an effect, but we need to block that out and play our game.