STUART Pearce hosted a well-attended press conference at Colchester United this lunchtime, ahead of tomorrow’s England Under-21s game against Iceland.

STUART Pearce hosted a well-attended press conference at Colchester United this lunchtime, ahead of tomorrow’s England Under-21s game against Iceland.

It will be the second time that England Under-21s have played in front of a capacity crowd at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

And the media were out in force this lunchtime, following the squad’s training session on the main pitch.

Although England have won all three of their Euro 2013 Qualifiers to date, and beaten Iceland 3-0 away only last month, Under-21 supremo Pearce expects a tougher game tomorrow.

But he also anticipates a “better performance,” which should encourage the 10,000 fans about to descend on the U’s stadium.

“Last month we won in Iceland, but since then their squad has been improved. One from the seniors and a holding midfielder has been added to the squad,” explained Pearce.

“We were very fortunate that day because I don’t think we played very well in Iceland.

“Their goalkeeper didn’t cover himself in glory that night, and gave us a chance to get our noses in front.

“We can play a lot better. I feel we will learn a lot from that game, and play a lot better at Colchester.

“It will be a tougher proposition than the away game in Iceland, and it’s not one to be taken lightly.”