Aidy Boothroyd backed by Adam Drury as England Under-21s prepare for Germany

England U21 manager Aidy Boothroyd . Picture: PA (Image: PA Wire)

Adam Drury believes Aidy Boothroyd is playing his England Under-21 hand well – including his management of prized Norwich City asset Jacob Murphy.

The young Lions boss was a player and youth coach at Peterborough United during Drury’s formative playing days at London Road.

Murphy continues to be linked with big money moves away from Carrow Road, with Newcastle United the latest reported suitors during the weekend.

The 22-year-old had been some way off England Under-21 contention until the latter part of last season, but has flourished since joining the group.

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He started the first of England’s three European Championship group games but his two appearances from the bench since have also caught the eye – alongside his assist in the win over Slovakia and goal against Poland, that helped secure a semi-final date with Germany on Tuesday.

“I’ve been watching the games and saw Murphy do really well the other night, which is great to see,” said the former City captain.

“It’s the same thing everywhere, everyone thinks the players from their clubs should be playing. I’d imagine the lads think the same.

“But it’s a lot of games in a short space of time and at the minute, what Aidy has done is proving effective. He made a couple of changes the other night and they came off straight away. Demarai Gray scored after six minutes.

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“As long as they keep winning games and he’s doing it that way, then he’s being proven right. So Jacob might have to wait a little bit longer before he gets to start again – but patience is a virtue.”

Drury added: “You could always tell (after injury ended his playing days) that Aidy was really keen and wanted to learn.

“He did really well at Watford and I think he got unfairly labelled as a long-ball merchant. He was just effective with what he had there and the players he had.

“That was the big thing, and he said it the other night – with the players you’ve got, you do what’s best for them and not the other way round.

“He’ll tell you it’s still a learning curve for him as well. It doesn’t matter how old you are or where you’re at, you’re still learning.

“And it’s especially the case as a manager with how the game is changing all the time – and the way the players are, is changing all the time too.”

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