Aidy Boothroyd says that while the Four Nation Tournament is primarily about development, results are just as important.
England take on Turkey on Monday in the final game in Heerenveen in eastern Netherlands and need only a draw to win the tournament.
Following impressive wins against Germany and the hosts, Boothroyd’s boys have the opportunity to end the competition with a perfect record of three wins from three.
England U20s v Turkey
Four Nation Tournament
6pm, Monday 13 October
Sportpark Skoatterwald, Netherlands
And the Young Lions boss says that the dual goals of results and development will always go hand in hand.
“You can’t separate the two,” he said.
“It’s about getting results and developing the players. The players have to learn how to win, and they also have to learn how to manage games – and tactically have to learn how to cope with what foreign opposition have got to throw at us.
“That is part of development and winning breeds confidence. Players can then feel better about themselves and express themselves more.
"We want players to play with creativity and freedom – and winning helps that.”
England kicked off the tournament with a 1-0 victory over Germany.
Two days later a dramatic late brace from Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom gave the Young Lions a dramatic 3-2 victory against Holland.
Chuba Akpom celebrates his dramatic late winner against Holland
And Boothroyd says no matter what the final fixture has in store, the experience has been crucial for the players’ development.
“Coming to tournaments like this for our U20s is absolutely vital,” he added.
“There are four very good teams here. The Dutch are a fantastic side and obviously the Germans were European champions in the U19s last year.
“It’s been a fabulous couple of games and I’m really looking to Turkey and seeing if we finish it off in style”
Aidy Boothroyd
“I’ve been really impressed all week. What we’ve got in this group is a lot of really good characters and good players too.
“They’ve all stuck together and when I’ve named the team there’s been no sulking from those who aren’t involved.
"Everybody has just got on with it and they’ve been ready when asked to come on – as we saw in the final minutes against Holland.
“It’s been a fabulous couple of games and I’m really looking to Turkey and seeing if we finish it off in style.”
