Theo 'angry' at exclusion

Walcott: Pearce talks

Even my parents booed me off at half-time against Finland!

Theo Walcott.
Quotes of the week

Related links

Teams

• England

Players

• Theo Walcott

Also see

• Transfer Centre
• Clockwatch
• Papers
• Betting

Theo Walcott has admitted he was 'angry' to be left out of the England Under 21s' starting XI for the victory over Spain.

Arsenal forward Walcott has endured a mixed European Championship after struggling to make an impact in the first game against Finland.

He began the second match versus Spain on the substitutes' bench but made a telling impact as he assisted his side's second goal after entering the fray on 62 minutes.

Walcott has conceded he met with manager Stuart Pearce over his exclusion from the starting line-up and is now hopeful of being involved in the semi-finals against Sweden on Friday.

He said: "One of the messages I got across was that I wanted to be shown a little bit of support for being here.

"You never like to be substituted. Even my parents booed me off at half-time against Finland!

Angry

"It just didn't go for me. It was one of those games.

"Of course I was angry to be left out of the Spain game. I took it out on the pitch and let my feet do the talking because I wanted to show what I can do coming off the bench.

"I wasn't happy because I came here to play. The manager spoke to me afterwards and I spoke to him.

"He put my mind at rest and I also spoke to my agent, my dad, my mum, my brother and my girlfriend.

"I just want to get back in that starting line-up."