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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.

Learn more about this author, Matthew P. Nicholson.
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