Sean O’Driscoll reflected positively on his first three games in charge of the England U19s.
The former Doncaster Rovers and Bristol City boss led his Young Lions to three wins from three in the opening round of qualifiers for next year’s European Championship.
They eased to a 3-0 win over Belarus last Friday, followed that up with an 8-0 romp over Luxembourg - two wins which secured their place in the Elite Qualifying Round next spring - and finished their campaign with a 4-2 defeat of Belgium.
England 4-2 Belgium
UEFA U19s Championship
First Qualifying Round
Wednesday 15 October
Avenir Beggen FC, Luxembourg
O’Driscoll said: "We have played some really good football and scored some fantastic goals. We showed a little bit of everything over the course of the three games.
"At the beginning of the qualifiers we told the players that no England team has ever won this championship. That’s the first stage out of the way. The next round will be a bit more difficult because only one team goes through so you almost can’t afford to lose a game.
"But the players go away with three good performances under their belts, three good results and hopefully with the intention of developing even further and improving as a team."
O’Driscoll’s side started well against Belgium, and went ahead through Patrick Roberts’ ninth-minute free-kick. Dion Cools levelled with a header but Bradley Fewster restored England’s lead with a cushioned header on the half-hour mark.
Obbi Oulare Mamadou pegged England back but late efforts from Brandon Barker and Bradley Fewster ensured their side topped the group with a 100 per cent record.
“This team is always going to score goals”
Sean O'Driscoll on England U19s
O’Driscoll added: "It was always going to be the toughest of the three games. I thought we started really well and we could have been out of sight by half time – but football is never as simple as that.
"I thought we responded well after conceding our first goal this week. We came up against a more direct style of play which the lads won’t be used to from the way their club sides play. That caused us some problems but we stuck at it, and this team is always going to score goals, which we proved again.
"It was good that they had a challenge and something different to go away with."
He continued: "They have all pushed each other – and that makes it difficult for me to pick a team, especially in midfield. I’ve got five players and I could use any combination of three. We’ve got good strength in depth. We look a strong outfit. There’s a good balance in the team and people can play in different positions.
"We are an exciting team to watch as well, so if we can be a bit more resilient then we’ve got the potential to be a really good team."
The draw for the Elite Qualifying Round will take place on 3 December – but before then the U19s entertain Italy at Rotherham United FC on 14 November in what will be O’Driscoll’s first home match in charge.
