Stuart Pearce should not be blamed and must be kept on as England U21 manager, insists goalkeeper Jack Butland There is no-one else to blame (but the players). It is the same group of players - it is us that have not performed. For a legend of the game like Stuart Pearce, it is difficult to apologise, but there is no-one else to blame but the players. We are embarrassed. We haven't done ourselves justice. Butland, though, is determined to glean some positives from a chastening trip. Personally, I think I will learn more from this experience than had we done a lot better and maybe even gone on to win the tournament. For me, after a very long season and last year, it is definitely about managing my time and making sure I am mentally set. Butland now steps up a level, moving from Birmingham City in the Championship to Stoke City in the Premier League. "I am really looking forward to Stoke," he said. First I need to rest mentally. It has been a very long year.