The Under-18s head coach is preparing his players for a night in front of a near-9,000-strong crowd at New York Stadium, and is hopeful his charges can rise to the occasion.
England U18 v Germany
New York Stadium, Rotherham
7.30pm, Wednesday 16 April
Dewsnip said: “It’s a big crowd for an Under-18 game but also I would hope it is really exciting for the players to play in front of all those people.
“If they are going to be successful in their future careers they are going to play in front of 9,000 people and more.
“So what will be interesting to us as a staff will be which ones handle that experience well.”
England host Germany at Rotherham’s New York Stadium, which opened in 2012, and was built on the site of the old Guest and Chrimes steelworks. Guest and Chrimes were responsible for producing the American city’s iconic fire hydrants.
Dewsnip believes it is the perfect place to watch his young charges perform.
“What makes it a great venue is that it is a brand-new stadium – and it will be nearly full,” he said.
“Germany asked if we would be interested in playing, and of course we would be wouldn’t we?”
Neil Dewsnip England U18 head coach
“For Rotherham who are currently pushing hard to get promotion to the Championship, it is a chance for their fans and indeed the whole of South Yorkshire to come and see future England internationals, and not forgetting the German players too.”
This season marks the first in a new programme at Under-18 level – a previously overlooked and underplayed age group – with emphasis placed on joining the gaps between Under-17 and Under-19.
Already Dewsnip’s side had planned to play more games than in any of the past 10 seasons, and then Germany came calling.
“Germany asked if we would be interested in playing, and of course we would be wouldn’t we?” said Dewsnip.
“That was terifically exciting and too good to turn down.
“They will be as you might expect: very well organised, very efficient – they sound like a BMW don’t they?
“But that’s the way they are. I expect we are going to see a younger version of the German senior team.”
Dewsnip said of England: “I hope we are going to see all the things I just said because work ethic and commitment and passion are important to us.
“But I’d also expect to see some creativity and flair, and freedom… that the players are not afraid to make a mistake.
“I believe longer term we will get our rewards from that kind of philosophy.”
Dewsnip hopes that when the final whistle blows tonight, most of his group will go on to be a part of Noel Blake’s Under-19 side for next season.
“The Under-18s are now a proper part of the pathway starting with Dan Micciche at Under-15 and through to Roy Hodgson’s senior team,” he said.
“Every coach who is a developer of young players sees getting as many over the line and into the next age group as success.
He added: “These lads are a credit to themselves and their families, and indeed to the clubs that they come from, in the way they behave. They work very, very hard.
“Their lifestyle is first-class and I hope they get the reward of their hard work later in their careers.
Tickets for the game are on sale now and priced at just £3 for adults, £1 for children/OAPs. For groups of 15 or more [bookable in advance only], it is just 50p admission.
Call Rotherham on 08444 140754, or email shop@rotherhamunited.net.
