Yes

by Matthew P. Nicholson

Created on: February 18, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Fabio Capello has been described as the man with a bigger ego than the players and with the current England squad, his ego needs to be as big as his reputation in the game. He is a man with presence and a single minded winning mentality, that will act as a wake up call for a National team guilty of failing to reach their potential under Steve McClaren and Sven-Goran Eriksson.

The English FA have previously dictated to managers and mistakenly believed they would continue this trend, when after appointing him, they informed the press there would be a strong presence of English coaches in his backroom team. It was made very clear very quickly who would be making such decisions, however, when the majority of the coaching team appointed where Italian, with the exception of Stuart Pearce who would be undertaking a dual role; continuing as under 21 coach with the added responsibility of being the bosses right hand man. Capello had obviously identified the same passion and leadership in Pearce's character that he possessed himself.

In the past stories circulated suggesting the senior players in the squad where making decisions about their preferred formation and the inclusion of fringe players into the squad. Those days are a distant memory now and the authority and discipline which Capello has instilled has led to Rio Ferdinand likening the start of the new regime to the first day at school. Order has certainly been regained in the classroom from the disruptive behaviour under the supply teacher McClaren. The headmaster had now arrived to explain the new rules under his leadership, one which meant that the nicknames were gone and every player would now be referred to by surname.

Informing the players immediately that he was a winner and had no time for losers will have shocked the millionaire elite of the England players, having the truth given to them so bluntly. That was merely an appetiser as they were informed no wives and girlfriend's (WAGS) were permitted when the players were on international duty. Furthermore all the players would now be eating every meal together as a unit, dressed smartly of course in their suits. There is no place for individuality in this new regime.

The message is clear and firm with the emphasis being placed on the unity of the team. The boys toys have also been banned, again in a clear message of exactly who is in charge, a decision that caused a ripple of discontent among the players. Only a ripple of course as nobody is going to be foolish enough to challenge the verdict and be thrown onto the international scrapheap.

When it came to selecting the squad for his first game in charge eyebrows were raised at the inclusion of a few names not previously mentioned in relation to the full national side. Once again this was a firm stamp of authority to show things were going to be done the Capello way. As part of the announcement was the decision not to include David Beckham regardless of the 99 caps he had earned and the ease with which he could have been handed the milestone of his hundredth.

Football fans complained feeling Beckham deserved the recognition of the honour achieved by only four previous England players. This game was to be about Capello and not Beckham. When it was explained briefly and succinctly through an interpreter (as Fabio is still learning English) few could argue with the reasoning, that having not played a competitive game for two months, Beckham's level of fitness was not at the required level to earn a call up, coupled with the fact that some of the new boys deserved their place, following an impressive season thus far. There should be no place for sentiment in football and it was refreshing to see that stance being taken. Beckham will receive the accolade of reaching a hundred caps and perhaps more, but he will have to prove himself and earn it, like he has on many occasions before.

When the day of the game arrived the pundits were surprised yet again when, rather than the expected 4-4-2 formation, the tradition of English football, a new 4-5-1 formation was introduced, with Wayne Rooney operating as a lone striker. A Disgruntled Michael Owen took his place on the subs bench and remained there for the duration of the match, probably concerned for his international future. Again few could argue that an out of form Owen deserved his place in the starting line up.

The first half proved to be a nervous exercise for England, as though given a surprise exam with no time to revise. The fans were growing restless and on a few occasions booed the players for the style of football they were trying to play; not used to the slow build up and long series of passes that were being attempted. The second half was much improved, though far from inspiring, but England grew in confidence and half time instructions to keep things simple, play patiently and ensure passes reached the target of a teammate had obviously paid dividends. The fans who had booed had now started to cheer with each touch by an England player as the succession of passes increased as they kept possession.

It may be seen as a simple formula but if a team keeps hold of the ball and dictates the tempo, they prevent the opposition from playing; something which the England faithful were beginning to grow accustomed to.

The performance of the team on his first game in charge was a long way from being polished and there will be the challenge of stronger opposition posing a greater threat than Switzerland. There were, however, positive early signs of the plan to reinvent and reeducate a national team to eventually convert them into a team capable of lifting a trophy, along with the winning mentality to ensure it happens.

Fabio Capello's CV would suggest that if anyone is capable of achieving such a feat he is the man; with seven Italian Serie A titles (five with AC Milan, one with Roma and one with Juventus), two Spanish La Liga titles with Real Madrid, a Uefa Champions League success with AC Milan and a Uefa European Super Cup triumph with AC Milan, you would be hard pressed to believe in anything else but future success with England.

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