Some senior players likened their first day of training with Capello to their first day at school. Out with the mobile phones, WAGs, sandals and shorts. Cynics suggested this was a populist ploy from a man more in tune with the English than his translated press conferences suggest. An early marker designed to win approval from a footballing public that in some quarters still smarts from the appointment of a foreign coach.
The truth is Capello knows no other way. Nor should he. What was trumpeted as a drastic regime change was merely a world class coach implementing some basic prerequisites for success. Fans bickered about whether to pick a footballer who hasn’t been playing football. Commentators questioned the selection of those who’ve been star performers in League competition. Others doubted the wisdom of an ethos that placed so much emphasis on dress code, punctuality and surnames. Such protestations simply highlight why England have been high profile failures in recent years and serve as a damning indictment of previous regimes. The fans need educating as much as the players.
Tonight’s game was never going to be a revolution. Whilst only three players who started against Croatia made Capello’s first whistle, the primary objective was always to exorcise that painful failure. In truth that will take more than a friendly win against a weakened Switzerland, shorn of their leading lights up front. But England’s head coach has talked all week of the need to instill a winning mentality in his ‘group’, and tonight’s patchy victory is a vital first step.
The inclusions of James, Upson, Bentley and Jenas in the starting eleven, caused debate across the land. It needn’t have done. All four have played as well as anyone in their position, since Fabio arrived in the New Year and kicked off his appraisals at Villa Park in the FA Cup third round. A baffled fan simply shows their lack of empathy for a man who has arrived in England and judged players on their performances. It is to England’s benefit that Capello has shown no prejudice or taken the easy option of selecting on reputation while he beds into his new role. Players now know they have to stay on top of their game to stay in England’s first team. Michael Owen is just one man who’ll be fearing for his future tonight. The flip side being the likes of Defoe will have real hope for their future; knowing good performances are more likely than ever to give them the chance to fulfil their international ambitions. With the selections Capello made, it seems a brick wall has been removed and players have true autonomy over their England aspirations. Of course England are missing Terry and Lampard, who should give the team a more familiar look upon their return – but rest assured neither will be taking their place for granted. Terry won’t be texting Capello to tell him how close he is to fitness, as he did with Steve McLaren. In this new regime he’d look like a fool, he must wait until he is spoken to. Terry, like all of England’s players will feel the acute need to do his talking on the pitch; for precious little else matters in Capello’s selection process. If this is ‘going back to school’ then so be it. The cream will eventually rise to the top and fill England’s starting berths.
By his own admission Capello has studied copiously the video disaster of England’s last qualifying campaign. The first 45 minutes at Wembley tonight gave him the opportunity to see several of those failings in the flesh. Hurried and inaccurate passing, hecklers in the crowd; a disjointed and uninspired performance that lacked cohesion and confidence. A machine that stuttered so badly it belied the quality of it’s components.
Jermain Jenas scored the first half’s only goal, peeling off his far post marker to hook in from close range after Joe Cole’s scintillating wing play. Chelsea’s diminutive number 10 was the game’s outstanding player, and after leaving Lichsteiner on the turf he used the time and space to surge into the area and look up to find the Tottenham man.
Just four minutes earlier Jenas had squandered a golden chance to earn the favour. Played clean through by a quick Bentley pass, he dithered fatally when a simple square ball would have given Cole a six yard tap in. As it was, Cole was the one player England could rely on to create openings in a fractious first period. After ten minutes he span and produced an instant pass into the path of Rooney, whose cross shot deflected off the on rushing Swiss keeper for a corner. Cole played his position to perfection, providing width when needed yet coming in field frequently to find space and prompt England attacks when others seemed stifled or short of ideas. England fans have grown increasingly accustomed to such performances from the Chelsea man, arguably the best player to wear the three lions at the last World Cup. The only blot on Cole’s copybook was an impetuous foul that presented Switzerland with their single real chance of the half. Rio Ferdinand was caught napping from the resultant free kick, but two Swiss heads could only conspire to put the ball wide of James’ far post.
On the other side of England’s midfield, David Bentley was beginning a journey that will surely see him similarly revered and required during Capello’s rebuilding. Here was the man denying a national icon his 100th cap. Under such pressure he produced a performance that not only vindicated his new manager, it virtually consigned the Beckham debate to history. Opposite Cole, he was England’s brightest spark in the first half. It was Bentley’s vision that released Jenas for the crossing opportunity he so badly squandered, and the Blackburn man’s exquisite long pass to put Rooney through in the 40th minute was eerily reminiscent of the namesake he’d displaced.
Tension eased by a half time lead, England came racing out the traps at the start of the second period. Cole and Bentley combined to create chances with play that exuded self confidence and belief in eachother. It was very much against the run of play when a slick Swiss attack saw young debutant Derdiyok, sweep an early shot past an unset David James. Rio Ferdinand once more seemed to be a fraction of a second behind play.
The goal came but seconds after Capello shuffled his pack with the introduction of Crouch and Wright-Phillips. To England’s credit they bounced back with aplomb. An excellent flick by the increasingly influential Rooney sent Gerrard away down the left. His well placed low cross was hit home by the shorter of Capello’s introductions, but Wright-Phillips proved to be a poor replacement for his Chelsea colleague Cole. His all-round play thereafter was beset with poor passing and decision making. Possibly he was too eager to impress; the same could be levelled at Wayne Rooney. England’s young talisman showed constant glimpses of his exceptional talent; chips, flicks, desperate lunges and tackles – his performance was more that of the raw 16 year old who first emerged at Goodison Park.
As early as the 30th minute, Rooney was dropping into Barry’s watch infront of the back four, so eager he was for possession and a chance to impress. No doubt Capello will have been thrilled by his committment and skill, the fans certainly were, giving him a raptuous reception when he finally exited the fray with four minutes to go. But Capello’s pleasure will surely have been tempered by the enormity of the task he must know he faces, in giving Rooney the necessary discipline to truly hurt tougher opposition.
These are early days indeed. Like the previous six incumbents of his job before him, Capello has begun his term with a win. At times England showed a panache that we all yearn to be shown on a regular basis, but more important than that we saw motivated players that look happy to be on board. Next month’s French examination will prove a far sterner test for Capello’s class of 2008. What’s happened on and off the pitch so far, suggests a group determined to graduate to football’s top table, having been held back for years. That said, the need for patience is paramount. It will take time, for there is still so much for them to learn.
Tags: David Bentley, England, Fabio Capello, Football, International Football, Joe Cole, Premier League, Soccer
